The East African nation Receives Cultural Items After a Long Residence in a German Family
Around Twelve historical artefacts have been formally returned to the Ethiopian nation following staying by a family in Germany for more than a century.
The items, originally collected in the 1920's by the German diplomat to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were delivered on this past Wednesday to the research center at Addis Ababa University.
This collection contained royal crowns, protective shields and artistic works, all considered as historically significant in Ethiopia.
"These artefacts still represent a symbol of the lasting and amicable ties between Germany and Ethiopia," remarked the German diplomat, the representative to Ethiopia.
Professor a professor, whose parent was born during the household's service in Ethiopia, presented the items at a ceremony attended by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa.
He said that the household's goal to give back the treasures was to "display their appeal with the public and preserve the culture and history linked to my father's beginning."
The items were either presents or purchases, according to the family.
"We want to express gratitude to Professor Weiss's family for actively demonstrating their deep appreciation for the nation by carefully preserving these treasures and importantly guaranteeing their return to their proper country," stated the official.
She noted that the items would in the near future be available to the people for study and scholarly work, calling the decision a landmark in safeguarding the nation's cultural heritage.
"Initiatives are ongoing to repatriate historical objects that are found in the hands of collectors and organizations around the planet," she stated.
During colonial rule in Africa, thousands of historical objects were taken.
The call by nations in Africa for the restoration of taken items has been met with some success in recent years - though a number of artefacts are just on loan.
In the year 2022, Germany was the first nation to repatriate some of the renowned historical items to the Nigerian people in a bid to deal with its "complex past."
Related Subjects
- Historical Return Initiatives in the Continent
- The Effect of Colonial History on Contemporary Ethiopian Heritage
- Global Movements for the Restitution of Looted Artefacts
