The East African nation Receives Valuable Treasures Following a Long Holding in a German Family
Around Twelve ancient items were officially returned to the Ethiopian nation after staying by a household from Germany for more than 100 years.
These artefacts, originally gathered in the 1920's by Germany's diplomat to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his spouse his partner, were handed over on this past Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the university in Addis Ababa.
This set included crowns, armor and paintings, all considered as culturally valuable in the country.
"These items still represent a mark of the enduring and positive ties between Germany and Ethiopia," said the German diplomat, the ambassador to Ethiopia.
Professor a professor, whose father was delivered during the family's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, presented the objects at a ceremony joined by Tourism Minister the tourism official.
He explained that the household's aim to restore the treasures was to "showcase their beauty with the public and preserve the heritage and past linked to my parent's beginning."
The artefacts were either gifts or buys, based on the relatives.
"I would like to express gratitude to the Weiss household for actively showing their profound affection for Ethiopia by carefully safeguarding these items and crucially securing their repatriation to their legitimate nation," said the minister of tourism.
She noted that the artefacts would shortly be available to the people for research and academic study, calling the action a milestone in protecting Ethiopia's cultural heritage.
"Actions are ongoing to return historical artifacts that are held in the possession of collectors and institutions throughout the globe," she stated.
During colonialism in the African continent, numerous of cultural items were plundered.
The demand by the continent's states for the restoration of looted items has been answered with certain positive outcomes in the past few years - although some artefacts are merely on short-term display.
Back in two years ago, the German government was the first nation to return a selection of the famous Benin artifacts to the West African nation in an attempt to address its "dark colonial history."
Similar Themes
- Historical Restoration Initiatives in Africa
- This Significance of Colonial Past on Contemporary Ethiopian Heritage
- International Campaigns for the Return of Stolen Treasures
