Addis Ababa — The cornerstone for the Cultural Hall at the African Art Museum and Training Institute at Debre Zeit town of the Oromia State was laid yesterday by Social Affairs Commissioner with the African Union Commission Advocate Bience P.Gawanas.

Speaking on the occasion, Institute Director General and Painter Lemma Guya said that the cultural Hall would serve to promote the development of artistic works particularly painting and sculpture as well as enhance cultural exchange among African countries.

Lemma said that the hall would be used by painters, authors and musicians to practise their profession and display works of painters from all African countries.

According to Lemma, the objective of the African Art Museum is to preserve various artistic works depicting the cultural specialties of Ethiopian nations and nationalities in particular and that of other African countries in general and pass to the next generation.

The Commissioner on her part said that the African Art Museum would play a pivotal role in carrying forth the memories of the past particularly 'our cultural heritage into the future.'

P. Gawanas expressed her conviction that the museum would spear head the aspirations for a United Africa.

"African governments are now ready to exploit the advantages offered by African art to enhance their development," she added.

According to the director various embassies have pledged to cover the construction cost of the Cultural Hall.

On the occasion various paintings by Lemma Guya, his sons and daughter were visited.