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Tourism, Culture and Recreation
April 15, 2009

Provincial Government Announces Funding
for Festival 500
Sharing the Voices

The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, on behalf of the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has committed $200,000 to Festival 500 Sharing the Voices. The announcement was made at the St. John�s Arts and Culture Centre.

"Newfoundland and Labrador is well known for a culture steeped in strong musical tradition," said Minister Skinner. "We are delighted to support Festival 500 and its successful efforts to promote our love of music, both here at home and with the thousands of choristers who have visited us over the years."

The Provincial Government�s contribution is part of a $700,000 investment which includes $300,000 from the Federal Government, through Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and $200,000 from the City of St. John�s, to support the co-ordination and marketing of the 2009 Festival, including its regional and rural events.

"Festival 500 appeals to choristers and other musical professionals from around the world and, as an added bonus, helps promote this province as a tourism destination," said Minister Skinner. "The international attention afforded this festival, and the very fact that it brings so many visiting participants to our province, helps spread the word about the beauty of this corner of the world and the unique experiences we offer."

Festival 500 is a biennial non-competitive choral festival that attracts professional choral groups from around the world. This year�s festival will take place in St. John�s from July 5-12. The festival also includes an academic symposium, The Phenomenon of Singing (July 2-5), which is co-sponsored by Memorial University.

Since 1997, Festival 500 has expanded beyond St. John�s to include regional and rural festivals. This year�s events include performances in Happy Valley-Goose Bay (held February 26-28), Corner Brook (April 23-26) and in Ferryland and Brigus on July 4.

This past February, Festival 500 was awarded the Cultural Tourism Award presented annually by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, in partnership with the Department of Canadian Heritage and Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador.

For more information on Festival 500, visit: www.festival500.com.

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Media contacts:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca 
Lisa McDonald
Festival Manager
Festival 500 Corporation
709-738-6029
staff@festival500.com

2009 04 15                                                      9:45 a.m.
 


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