Minister Glover and Minister Lebel Announce Support for the 11th and 12th Festival de Musique Émergente en Abitibi-Témiscamingue

ROUYN-NORANDA, QC, Aug. 28, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced funding for the Festival de musique émergente en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (FME).

"Our Government is proud to support events that let Canadians discover and appreciate the talent of up-and-coming artists," said Minister Glover. "The contribution that the Festival de musique émergente en Abitibi-Témiscamingue makes to the cultural and economic vitality of Rouyn-Noranda is undeniable. Congratulations to all the artists, organizers, and volunteers who bring this event to life."

"By renewing our support to the promotion of the Festival de musique émergente en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, outside of Quebec, our Government is contributing to the region's economic development and the vitality of its tourism industry," said Minister Lebel.

Each year, the Festival de musique émergente en Abitibi-Témiscamingue features around 100 emerging artists from Canada and abroad. The FME contributes to the region's development and stimulates the local economy by drawing close to 20,000 visitors. The 2013 edition will take place August 29 to September 1 and include more than 60 performances as well as public awareness-raising activities.

"Year after year, the FME is proud to offer a program that enriches the region's cultural life and draws visitors from outside the area," said Sandy Boutin, President of the FME. "The support of Canadian Heritage and Canada Economic Development helps us fulfill our mission to promote the spread of original music and the emergence of the next generation of young artists. In the space of a long weekend, Rouyn-Noranda becomes the national capital of Canadian music."

Funding of $45,000 for the 2013 Festival de musique émergente en Abitibi-Témiscamingue is being provided by Canadian Heritage through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund. This program gives Canadians increased access to the variety and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.

Funding from Canada Economic Development for the 2013 and 2014 editions of the FME amounts to $126,750 in the form of a non-repayable contribution under the Quebec Economic Development Program. This contribution will be used to implement the Festival's marketing strategy outside Quebec and promote it abroad. The organizers' strategy is to boost revenues by increasing the number of festival visitors from outside the province. The economic spinoffs from a rise in festival attendance will benefit the whole region.

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SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

(media only), please contact:

Marisa Monnin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
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Marie-Josée Paquette
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
514-496-1282
[email protected]

Media Relations
Canada Economic Development
514-283-8818
[email protected]

This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.

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