The East African nation Receives Valuable Treasures After a Long Holding in a German Family
A total of Twelve cultural items were formally returned to the Ethiopian nation after staying by a household from Germany for more than ten decades.
The items, initially collected in the early twentieth century by Germany's then-envoy to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were transferred on this past Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the capital's university.
The collection included crowns, armor and canvases, each viewed as historically valuable in the nation.
"These items continue to serve as a symbol of the long-standing and friendly connection between Germany and the Ethiopian people," stated Germany's envoy, the representative to the East African country.
Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the family's service in Ethiopia, handed over the items at a ceremony attended by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.
He explained that the family's aim to give back the artefacts was to "share their splendor with the audience and maintain the heritage and past connected to my parent's birth."
The artefacts were either considered gifts or buys, based on the relatives.
"We would like to express gratitude to the Weiss relatives for concretely demonstrating their deep love for the nation by diligently safeguarding these artifacts and importantly guaranteeing their repatriation to their rightful country," said the official.
The minister continued that the items would soon be made accessible to the public for investigation and academic study, terming the move a landmark in safeguarding Ethiopia's historical legacy.
"Actions are ongoing to repatriate ancient artifacts that are located in the custody of individuals and entities throughout the world," she said.
During colonial rule in the African continent, numerous of traditional artefacts were looted.
The call by African countries for the return of taken items has been responded to by some progress in recent years - although several objects are only on temporary return.
In two years ago, Germany was the pioneering country to give back a selection of the renowned historical items to the West African nation in an attempt to address its "dark legacy."
Related Topics
- Cultural Return Efforts in the Continent
- The Impact of Imperial History on Modern Ethiopian Heritage
- Global Campaigns for the Restitution of Stolen Items
