The East African nation Receives Cultural Artefacts Following a Century Stay in a German Family
Around 12 cultural objects were officially returned to Ethiopia following remaining by a German family for in excess of 100 years.
These items, initially acquired in the 1920s by Germany's representative to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his spouse Hedwig, were handed over on Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at Addis Ababa University.
This assortment contained crowns, armor and artistic works, each regarded as historically important in the nation.
"The treasures still stand as a symbol of the long-standing and positive relationship between the German nation and Ethiopia," said Ferdinand von Weyhe, the envoy to Ethiopia.
Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was delivered during the family's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, handed over the items at a ceremony joined by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.
He said that the family's goal to return the treasures was to "showcase their beauty with the public and preserve the culture and history linked to my parent's birth."
The items were either donations or acquisitions, based on the relatives.
"We would like to express gratitude to Professor Weiss's household for practically showing their sincere appreciation for the nation by meticulously safeguarding these artifacts and crucially securing their homecoming to their rightful homeland," commented the tourism minister.
The minister continued that the items would soon be made accessible to the people for research and scholarly work, describing the action a milestone in protecting the nation's historical legacy.
"Actions persist to return old artifacts that are found in the possession of private persons and entities throughout the planet," she stated.
During colonial rule in Africa, thousands of cultural objects were looted.
The request by nations in Africa for the restoration of taken items has been met with a degree of progress in recent years - although some artefacts are merely on short-term display.
In the year 2022, the German government was the pioneering state to repatriate a selection of the well-known historical items to the West African nation in a bid to deal with its "dark past."
Related Subjects
- Cultural Return Movements in the Continent
- This Impact of Colonial Past on Modern Ethiopian Heritage
- Global Movements for the Restitution of Stolen Items
