Ethiopia Welcomes Cultural Items Following a 100-Year Residence in a German Family
Around 12 cultural objects have been formally restored to Ethiopia after remaining by a family in Germany for over ten decades.
The treasures, first gathered in the early twentieth century by the German representative to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his spouse his partner, were transferred on midweek to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University.
This collection contained crowns, armor and artistic works, each regarded as culturally important in the nation.
"The items continue to represent a symbol of the long-standing and positive ties between Germany and Ethiopia," stated Germany's envoy, the representative to Ethiopia.
Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose parent was delivered during the household's diplomatic posting in the nation, presented the items at a ceremony joined by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.
He stated that the family's aim to give back the treasures was to "share their splendor with the people and maintain the heritage and history linked to my father's origin."
The items were either considered donations or acquisitions, as stated by the relatives.
"I would like to express gratitude to Professor Weiss's household for actively expressing their profound appreciation for Ethiopia by meticulously safeguarding these artifacts and vitally securing their homecoming to their legitimate nation," stated the minister of tourism.
The minister noted that the items would soon be available to the people for research and scholarly work, calling the action a landmark in safeguarding the nation's national treasures.
"Initiatives will continue to repatriate old artifacts that are found in the custody of collectors and entities throughout the world," she affirmed.
In the era of colonial rule in Africa, many of cultural artefacts were plundered.
The call by nations in Africa for the repatriation of stolen objects has been met with some success in lately - although several objects are just on loan.
In two years ago, Germany was the first state to repatriate a portion of the renowned historical items to Nigeria in a bid to confront its "dark past."
Related Topics
- Historical Repatriation Movements in Africa
- This Significance of Imperial History on Modern African Heritage
- Global Campaigns for the Restitution of Looted Artefacts
