Canada's New Government Supports the Okanagan International Children’s Festival Society

May 18, 2007

PENTICTON, British Columbia – On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament (Okanagan–Coquihalla), today announced $12,000 to support the 2007 Okanagan International Children’s Festival.

“This year, the Okanagan International Children’s Festival Society has impressive programming that showcases dance, music, comedy and storytelling performances from around the world,” said Minister Oda. “Canada’s New Government is proud to support the Okanagan International Children’s Festival in presenting imaginative and culturally diverse programming for families in British Columbia.”

“Last week, I was pleased to meet with representatives from the Okanagan International Children’s Festival Society. They provide the best in performing arts to the community of Penticton,” said Minister Day. “With this funding, Canada’s New Government is helping ensure that the Okanagan continues to thrive, both economically and culturally.”

“The 2007 Rotary Okanagan International Children’s Festival is excited and grateful to Canadian Heritage for helping us celebrate our 5th anniversary with the presentation of great international talent – the Jabali African Acrobats, Peru’s Teatro Hugo and Ines, the Vietnamese Water Puppets, giant musical puppeteers Big Nazo from Boston, and featuring Canada’s Charlotte Diamond, Rick Scott with Pied Pumkids, and Art Napoleon,” said Gord Osland, executive director of the Okanagan International Children’s Festival.

First presented in May 2003, the Okanagan International Children’s Festival is an annual event for children aged 3 to 13, with programming focussed on theatre, dance, music, comedy, storytelling and puppetry. This year, the festival will be held from May 24 to 26 at the Memorial Arena and Queen’s Park School grounds.

Canada’s New Government has provided this funding through the Arts Presentation Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to give Canadians more access to direct experiences of the diversity and richness of Canada’s culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.

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Information:
Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women
819 997-7788

Melisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Member of Parliament for Okanagan–Coquihalla
613 991-2924

Ginette Montreuil
Regional Manager
Policy and Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604 666-6504

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.)