The East African nation Takes Back Valuable Items Following a Long Stay in Germany
Exactly 12 ancient artefacts have been ceremoniously restored to Ethiopia following staying by a German family for over ten decades.
These treasures, originally collected in the 1920s by Germany's diplomat to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife Hedwig, were transferred on this past Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at Addis Ababa University.
The set included headpieces, shields and canvases, all viewed as historically important in the nation.
"These treasures continue to represent a symbol of the long-standing and amicable relationship between Germany and the Ethiopian people," stated Germany's envoy, the representative to Ethiopia.
Professor a professor, whose parent was born during the household's assignment in the nation, delivered the objects at a event attended by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.
He stated that the household's goal to return the artefacts was to "display their beauty with the people and preserve the heritage and history linked to my parent's origin."
The artefacts were either considered donations or buys, according to the relatives.
"We want to thank Professor Weiss's household for practically expressing their sincere appreciation for the nation by carefully preserving these items and crucially ensuring their homecoming to their legitimate homeland," commented the official.
The minister noted that the pieces would soon be opened to the general audience for research and scholarly work, terming the action a milestone in protecting the nation's cultural heritage.
"Initiatives will continue to repatriate historical items that are found in the custody of individuals and institutions around the planet," she said.
During colonialism in Africa, thousands of historical items were looted.
This request by the continent's states for the return of taken artefacts has been responded to by certain positive outcomes in lately - although a number of items are just on loan.
In 2022, Germany was the pioneering nation to give back some of the renowned Benin Bronzes to the Nigerian people in an attempt to address its "complex past."
Similar Subjects
- Cultural Repatriation Movements in Africa
- This Effect of Colonial Past on Modern African Culture
- Global Movements for the Return of Looted Artefacts
