- Title: SENEGAL: New Dakar Grand Theater unveiled, the biggest theater venue in Africa
- Date: 25th April 2011
- Summary: VARIOUS OF SENEGALESE PERFORMERS THEATER HALL
- Embargoed: 10th May 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Senegal, Senegal
- Country: Senegal
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
- Reuters ID: LVABZFF096OTK3BO59F2B0U1UIDV
- Story Text: Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade officially opened the West African country's National Grand Theater, a massive cultural complex funded mostly by the People's Republic of China.
With a seating capacity of 1800, it is Africa's largest, and 14 000 CFA Francs (31 million US dollars) of its total construction sum of 16 000 CFA Francs (35.5 million US dollars) was footed by China.
''Every masterpiece has been a manifestation of its time period. The Grand National Theater is called upon to being a testimony of the past for future generations. It has 1800 seats, the biggest in Africa. And, according to some testimonies, it is one of the most beautiful, biggest and most modern in the world,'' said Wade at the opening ceremony. .
The opening ceremony showcased performers from Senegal, Mali and China who sang, danced and performed to a crowd that included the Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure and Chen Zhili, Vice Chairman of China's National People's Congress.
Also present at the inauguration was the Pape Faye, President of Dakar's Actors' Guild, who believes that the new venue, will not only be a home of theater, but also film and music and is set to become a beacon to performers from across the continent.
''I believe that this grand theater is on its way to welcome, all those that Senegal and Africa regard as the children of this art form, popular and scenic theater. It is a feeling of pride,'' said Faye.
The theater was opened in the name of Dr Bakary Traoré, one of Senegal's most venerated historian and philosopher. The building complex itself occupies an area of 20 thousand square meters.
''We are very happy. Like the Senegalese people, we feel happiness. We are very happy at the realization of this wonderful spectacle,'' said Ming Yuan, Cultural Attaché At The Chinese Embassy To Dakar Chinese involvement in Africa stretches back to centuries ago, with economic, military, cultural and financial investments on the rise.
Recently, Standard Bank, one of Africa's largest financial institutions reported that China's investments would rise by up to 70 percent to 50 billion US dollars by 2015. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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