The East African nation Takes Back Cultural Items After a 100-Year Residence in Germany
Exactly 12 ancient artefacts have been ceremoniously returned to Ethiopia after staying by a household from Germany for over 100 years.
The items, initially acquired in the 1920s by Germany's then-envoy to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were handed over on Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at Addis Ababa University.
This collection contained crowns, protective shields and canvases, all regarded as culturally important in the country.
"The artefacts still serve as a symbol of the enduring and friendly relationship between the German nation and the Ethiopian people," remarked the German diplomat, the envoy to Ethiopia.
Dr. a professor, whose parent was born during the family's service in the nation, handed over the items at a gathering witnessed by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.
He said that the family's aim to give back the items was to "display their splendor with the audience and maintain the heritage and history connected to my father's birth."
The artefacts were either considered donations or buys, according to the family.
"We would like to express gratitude to the Weiss household for concretely demonstrating their sincere love for the nation by meticulously preserving these artifacts and vitally guaranteeing their return to their rightful nation," commented the official.
She noted that the artefacts would soon be available to the public for research and scholarly work, describing the action a landmark in protecting the nation's cultural heritage.
"Initiatives will continue to return historical objects that are held in the possession of private persons and entities throughout the planet," the minister affirmed.
In the era of colonial rule in the African continent, many of cultural artefacts were taken.
The demand by African countries for the restoration of stolen artefacts has been responded to by certain success in the past few years - although several artefacts are just on temporary return.
Back in two years ago, the German government was the initial country to give back a portion of the renowned historical items to the West African nation in a bid to address its "dark legacy."
Connected Themes
- Historical Repatriation Efforts in the Continent
- The Effect of Colonial Past on Modern Ethiopian Heritage
- International Movements for the Restitution of Looted Treasures
