Ethiopia Takes Back Valuable Treasures Following a 100-Year Holding in German Hands
A total of 12 cultural items have been officially returned to the Ethiopian nation following being kept by a German family for over a century.
The artefacts, first acquired in the 1920's 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.
The assortment included royal crowns, protective shields and paintings, all considered as culturally valuable in the country.
"The artefacts continue to stand as a symbol of the enduring and friendly connection between Germany and the Ethiopian people," stated Ferdinand von Weyhe, the envoy to Ethiopia.
Professor a professor, whose parent was born during the family's service in the nation, handed over the artefacts at a ceremony joined by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.
He explained that the household's intention to restore the items was to "share their splendor with the audience and preserve the heritage and past tied to my parent's origin."
The artefacts were either donations or purchases, based on the family.
"I would like to express gratitude to Professor Weiss's relatives for concretely expressing their sincere love for Ethiopia by meticulously maintaining these artifacts and vitally securing their homecoming to their rightful country," stated the tourism minister.
The minister noted that the artefacts would soon be opened to the people for study and educational purposes, calling the move a landmark in protecting the nation's cultural heritage.
"Actions will continue to bring back old items that are held in the hands of private persons and entities all over the world," she said.
In the era of colonialism in Africa, many of traditional artefacts were taken.
This request by African countries for the restoration of stolen artefacts has been responded to by certain success in recent years - though some objects are merely on loan.
In the year 2022, the German government was the first country to return a portion of the famous historical items to the West African nation as part of an effort to address its "troubled legacy."
Similar Subjects
- Historical Restoration Movements in the Continent
- This Effect of Imperial History on Contemporary African Culture
- Global Movements for the Return of Looted Items
