The East African nation Receives Valuable Treasures After a Long Stay in German Hands
Around Twelve historical items were officially given back to Ethiopia after remaining by a household from Germany for more than 100 years.
The items, first acquired in the 1920s by Germany's diplomat to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were transferred on midweek to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the university in Addis Ababa.
The collection included royal crowns, armor and paintings, each regarded as historically valuable in Ethiopia.
"These items continue to stand as a mark of the long-standing and positive ties between the German nation and the Ethiopian people," remarked Germany's envoy, Germany's envoy to Ethiopia.
Professor a professor, whose parent was born during the household's assignment in Ethiopia, handed over the objects at a gathering joined by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa.
He stated that the household's aim to restore the items was to "display their splendor with the people and preserve the heritage and past linked to my father's beginning."
The items were either considered donations or buys, based on the family.
"We want to express gratitude to Professor Weiss's household for practically showing their profound love for the nation by diligently maintaining these items and crucially guaranteeing their homecoming to their proper country," stated the official.
The minister continued that the items would soon be available to the people for study and academic study, describing the move a milestone in safeguarding the nation's cultural heritage.
"Actions are ongoing to repatriate historical items that are held in the hands of collectors and entities around the globe," the minister affirmed.
In the era of colonialism in the African continent, thousands of traditional artefacts were plundered.
The request by African countries for the return of looted items has been answered with some success in the past few years - even if several items are just on loan.
In two years ago, the German government was the first nation to repatriate some of the famous Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in an attempt to confront its "troubled legacy."
Related Topics
- Cultural Repatriation Movements in Africa
- The Effect of Colonial Past on Modern African Heritage
- International Campaigns for the Return of Stolen Items