News release

Celtic Music and Heritage To Come Alive in Judique

Tourism, Culture and Heritage (Dec. 2003 - Jan. 2011)

TOURISM, CULTURE AND HERITAGE--Celtic Music and Heritage To Come Alive in Judique


Visitors will soon be able to immerse themselves in the history and culture of Cape Breton's Celtic music at a new Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique.

The province is investing $200,000 toward the development of the interpretive centre. The one-time grant will be applied to constructing an energy-efficient building, and developing interpretive exhibits.

"Cape Breton is widely known as being a home to Celtic culture and music. This new centre will be an important new attraction where visitors can experience our culture in an educational and entertaining manner," Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage said today, April 4.

The new interpretive centre will offer interactive tours, live music and step-dancing demonstrations, workshops, special interpretive performances of Celtic music, and an archive and resource library.

"This new centre will not only be a showcase for our history and culture, it will be a model of energy efficiency," said Energy Minister Cecil Clarke. "The best time to incorporate energy saving features into a home or building is during design and construction. I'm pleased that the province is investing in making this new interpretive centre a modern, energy-efficient facility."

Nova Scotia's 2005 Tourism Plan identified the need to have cultural and heritage attractions come to life for visitors through enhanced interpretation and hands-on activities.

The project will be managed by the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre Society. The society preserves, promotes and collects information on Celtic music in Cape Breton.

"Visitors today want to understand and experience the life and culture of the places they visit," said Larry Graham, president of the society. "This new centre will bring visitors to the heart of Celtic music in Cape Breton."

Today's investment is part of $15 million in funding announced by Mr. MacDonald in December 2004. That funding is designed to help boost Nova Scotia's tourism industry in the areas of marketing, product development, and regional tourism initiatives.