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March 27, 1997
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

The following statement was issued today by Sandra Kelly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

1997 Provincial Drama Festival Celebrates Our Culture, Heritage

Mr. Speaker:

I rise today to ask my honourable colleagues to join me in offering best wishes to the organizers, judges and participants of the 1997 Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Festival, which runs from March 31 to April 4 at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John's.

In this, the Provincial Year of the Arts, we celebrate the many ways our culture and heritage have been enriched by the contributions of those involved with the festival. And we look forward to a week of outstanding theatre.

The 1997 Festival marks the achievement of another milestone. All five of the plays are written, performed, and directed by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. And all five productions are set in this province and deal with topics that we can all relate to. This is a first for the festival, and it's certainly an accomplishment worth noting as we move into high gear with the Cabot 500 Anniversary celebrations.

This festival represents the culmination of a full year of hard work for the organizers and theatre groups. And what's more, the people involved are volunteers - they do this out of a love of the theatre and the satisfaction of knowing that they have helped to preserve and enhance our rich artistic heritage. Truly, the dramatic spirit is alive and well in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The best part is that we, as potential members of the audience, get to reap the benefits of all that hard work. I encourage all of my colleagues to attend the performances of the 1997 Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Festival. It's a very special event that's by us, for us and about us.

Mr. Speaker:

I think it's perfectly fitting to offer congratulations to everyone involved in the festival, even though the curtain has yet to rise. So, to the Avion Players of Gander, the Beothuck Street Players of St. John's, the Carol Players of Labrador City, the Northcliffe Drama Club of Grand Falls-Windsor and the St. John's Players - who are not only hosting the event but also celebrating their 60th anniversary - I wish you all the very best of luck indeed. Thank you.