Ethiopia Receives Cultural Artefacts After a Long Stay in German Hands
A total of Twelve historical items were ceremoniously returned to Ethiopia after remaining by a household from Germany for in excess of a century.
These artefacts, initially gathered in the 1920s by Germany's diplomat to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife Hedwig, were handed over on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University.
This assortment included headpieces, armor and artistic works, each viewed as historically significant in the nation.
"These artefacts still represent a mark of the enduring and friendly ties between Germany and Ethiopia," said the German diplomat, Germany's ambassador to Ethiopia.
Dr. a professor, whose parent was born during the family's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, delivered the objects at a gathering witnessed by Tourism Minister the tourism official.
He said that the household's goal to restore the treasures was to "display their splendor with the audience and safeguard the culture and past connected to my parent's birth."
The objects were either considered donations or acquisitions, based on the family.
"We want to express gratitude to the Weiss household for actively demonstrating their deep affection for Ethiopia by carefully safeguarding these items and vitally securing their repatriation to their legitimate homeland," commented the official.
The minister added that the items would soon be opened to the general audience for investigation and academic study, describing the move a milestone in preserving the nation's historical legacy.
"Actions will continue to bring back old items that are held in the hands of individuals and organizations all over the world," the minister affirmed.
During imperial control in the African continent, many of historical items were taken.
This request by the continent's states for the repatriation of stolen artefacts has been met with some success in recent years - although some items are only on loan.
Back in 2022, the German government was the first nation to repatriate a portion of the well-known historical items to the West African nation in a bid to address its "troubled past."
Similar Subjects
- Cultural Repatriation Movements in Africa
- This Significance of Colonial Past on Modern African Heritage
- Global Campaigns for the Restitution of Stolen Items
