Welcome all those taking part in the Festival d’été francophone de Vancouver. For 15 years, this major cultural event has allowed Francophones and Francophiles in this area of the country to enjoy the unique rhythms of French song. Again this year, the organizers have put together a program that wonderfully reflects the vitality and creativity of Francophone artist from across Canada and abroad. As Minister of Canadian Heritage, | congratulate all those who have joined their efforts to help make this wonderful Francophone celebration a success. | would like to thank you for your commitment to promoting French language and culture in British Columbia. Happy 15th anniversary! ° c= Ko Ss Ce ener 7% Héléne Chalifour Scherrer, Minister of the Canadian Heritage As MLA responsible for francophone affairs for British Columbia, | would like to congratulate the Centre culturel francophone de Vancouver on the fifteenth anniversary of the Festival d’été francophone de Vancouver. Since 1975, the Centre has promoted and presented shows in French and has held exhibits of francophone and francophile artists in Vancouver. Since its debut in 1990, the quality of the programming and the scope of the Festival d'été have been outstanding. The increasing number of francophone and francophile participants to this event attests to the level of public interest and the importance of the Festival d’été de Vancouver. The Festival enriches the francophone cultural heritage and the vitality of our francophone community in Britisn Columbia. | congratulate the Centre culturel francophone de Vancouver, the organizers and all the volunteers that work each year to make this event a success. Happy anniversary and enjoy the Festival! richard Stewart Député, Coquitlam-Maillardville Député responsable des affaires francophones It’s hard to believe fifteen years have passed since the first Festival d’été Francophone de Vancouver. During that time, Le Centre culturel fancophone de Vancouver and the Festival d'été have established themselves as a vital part of our city’s multicultural arts scene. Now that Vancouver and Whistler have won the right to host the 2010 Olympic winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games, we need to be ready to show the world the strength and creativity of our arts community. Festival d'été helps us do that in both of our country’s official languages. On behalf of the entire city council, thanks to the participants and organizers of this wonderful event. Have a great festival. Loy God Yours truly Larry W. Campbell, MAYOR Bonjour tout le monde! On behalf of my fellow commissioners and staff at the vancouver Park Board, | want to pass on congratulations to Le Centre culturel for the wonderful series of events at the 15th Annual Festival d'été francophone de Vancouver which will enliven this city in June. Since 2004 is the 400th anniversary of the founding of Acadia, it provides a wonderful occasion for the people in all of Vancouver's diverse communities to experience the lively cultures of French Canada. We have a history of cultural sharing and a tradition of marking our collective heritages, and are all the richer for the opportunity to celebrate this at the Festival d'été francophone. This year we are excited to be part of a first-time collaboration with Le Centre. We join the francophone community in Vancouver in welcoming everyone to enjoy the events at the Roundhouse, Douglas Park, Kerrisdale and Sunset Community Centres. Soyez les bienvenus. Ved Qrmorik Anita Romaniuk, Chair, Vancouver Park Board