Minister emphasizes professionals' role in developing museums

Addis Ababa, August 4, 2012 (WIC) - Culture and Tourism Minister Amin Abdulkadir said that museum professionals have decisive role in conserving heritages and developing museums to attract visitors.

Opening a half -day workshop held at Etege Tayitu Hotel yesterday, Amin said that to conserve heritages of the nation from natural and man-made disasters and to transfer them to the next generation keeping them in museums, the country needs skilled, committed and loyal professionals." In this regard, the existence of Ethiopian Museum Professionals Association is timely and has a decisive role in realizing this.

The Minister also noted that his office is keen to work with the association to build modern museums the country. Concerned bodies are also expected to assist the association to achieve its objectives. ''Supporting such an institution is tantamount to inheriting a wealth to someone,'' Amin added. He also urged members of the association to make relentless effort to achieve the desired objectives.

Association President Merkeb Mekuria on his part said that the association was established to be contribute their share to address multifaceted problems of museums. The association plans to work on museums to ensure sustainable tourism development and build the capacity of its members.

Museum professionals, curators and invited guests attended the conference. (EH)