Ethiopia Welcomes Cultural Items Following a Century Stay in Germany
A total of 12 ancient artefacts were formally returned to the Ethiopian nation following staying by a German family for more than 100 years.
These items, first gathered in the 1920s by Germany's diplomat to Ethiopia a German envoy and his wife his partner, were handed over on this past Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at Addis Ababa University.
This set featured royal crowns, shields and paintings, each considered as historically valuable in Ethiopia.
"These items still represent a symbol of the lasting and amicable connection between Germany and Ethiopia," remarked Germany's envoy, the ambassador to Ethiopia.
Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the family's diplomatic posting in the nation, delivered the objects at a gathering joined by Tourism Minister the tourism official.
He explained that the family's intention to restore the artefacts was to "share their beauty with the audience and safeguard the heritage and past linked to my father's origin."
The objects were either considered donations or acquisitions, according to the household.
"I want to express gratitude to the Weiss family for actively demonstrating their profound appreciation for the nation by diligently maintaining these artifacts and importantly securing their repatriation to their proper nation," said the minister of tourism.
The minister noted that the items would shortly be opened to the public for investigation and academic study, terming the move a significant step in safeguarding Ethiopia's national treasures.
"Actions persist to bring back old items that are found in the hands of collectors and organizations around the world," she stated.
In the era of imperial control in the African continent, many of traditional objects were plundered.
This call by the continent's states for the return of stolen objects has been responded to by certain success in lately - even if several objects are just on loan.
In two years ago, Germany was the pioneering country to repatriate some of the renowned historical items to the West African nation as part of an effort to address its "dark legacy."
Connected Topics
- Historical Repatriation Efforts in Africa
- The Effect of Colonial History on Contemporary African Culture
- International Campaigns for the Restitution of Looted Items
