The East African nation Receives Historic Treasures After a Century Holding in a German Family
Around 12 historical items were formally returned to the Ethiopian nation after being kept by a family in Germany for in excess of 100 years.
These items, first collected in the early twentieth century by the German then-envoy to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were transferred on this past Wednesday to the research center at the capital's university.
The set featured royal crowns, armor and canvases, each viewed as culturally valuable in the nation.
"The artefacts continue to stand as a symbol of the lasting and amicable ties between Germany and the Ethiopian people," stated Germany's envoy, the representative to Ethiopia.
Dr. a professor, whose parent was born during the household's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, presented the objects at a ceremony attended by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.
He explained that the family's goal to return the items was to "share their splendor with the audience and safeguard the heritage and history linked to my parent's beginning."
These items were either presents or purchases, as stated by the family.
"I would like to thank the Weiss family for actively expressing their deep appreciation for Ethiopia by carefully maintaining these artifacts and crucially securing their repatriation to their proper country," stated the minister of tourism.
The minister continued that the artefacts would in the near future be opened to the public for study and scholarly work, describing the action a landmark in preserving Ethiopia's national treasures.
"Initiatives persist to bring back ancient artifacts that are found in the hands of private persons and organizations all over the planet," she said.
During imperial control in Africa, thousands of historical artefacts were taken.
This request by African countries for the repatriation of stolen artefacts has been met with certain success in the past few years - even if some items are merely on temporary return.
Back in 2022, the German government was the first country to return a selection of the famous historical items to the West African nation in a bid to address its "troubled colonial history."
Connected Topics
- Historical Return Initiatives in the Continent
- This Effect of Colonial Past on Modern African Culture
- International Campaigns for the Return of Stolen Items
