Province Supports Port Royal's 400th Anniversary Celebrations

Nova Scotia will showcase part of its culture and heritage to the world on Saturday, July 16, as thousands of visitors gather to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the landing at Port Royal.

The Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage has supported the planning of year-long anniversary celebrations over the past several years and has contributed more than $225,000 for the development, marketing and promotion of the event.

"Port Royal represents an important chapter in our province's history," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "Many Nova Scotians of First Nation, French, British and Scottish descent can trace their ancestry back to this area of the province 400 years ago. This celebration provides an opportunity for us to explore our past and celebrate our cultural diversity."

Port Royal, the birthplace of Acadie, marks the arrival of French exploration, colonization and settlement in Nova Scotia. It is the first permanent European settlement in Canada and the second European settlement in North America.

In recognition of the significance of Port Royal, the province has named the anniversary a "signature event" for 2005. It is featured on the cover of this year's Festivals and Events Guide and figures prominently in Nova Scotia's local, national and international tourism marketing campaigns.

This weekend's event is part of a year-long celebration that includes daily events during the months of July and August. For more information on the celebrations, see the website at www.novascotia.com .