China donates equipment to theater in Senegal

China's ambassador to Senegal Xia Huang on Thursday donated to Senegal maintenance equipment for the Grand National Theater that was constructed in Dakar by China.

The materials were comprised of wireless microphones, baffles, projectors and a professional lighting system valued at 120 million CFA Francs (198,000 U.S. dollars), Senegal's Culture Minister Mbagnick Ndiaye said after receiving the equipments in Dakar.

"They will improve the conditions of the Grand National Theater, " he said, urging the structure's administrator to ensure proper utilization of the equipments.

Xia Huang said the donation was a way of supporting Senegal to make better use of its cultural infrastructure.

He promised that another donation of equipment for the Grand National Theater in Dakar will be made in June this year.

This cultural infrastructure, inaugurated in 2011, was entirely funded by the Chinese government at a total cost of over 38 million U.S. dollars.

Before handing over the equipments to the minister, the Chinese ambassador and the minister visited the Black Civilization Museum, whose construction is also funded by China, to assess the progress made in its construction.

Xia said over 60 percent of the work had been done on the museum and what was remaining was the phase of decorations, both inside and outside, as well as installation of electronic equipments.

The building which will have, among others, exhibition centers and a digital projection room, will officially be inaugurated in April 2014. Endi