Ethiopia Welcomes Cultural Artefacts Following a Long Residence in German Hands
Around Twelve cultural artefacts have been ceremoniously given back to Ethiopia after being kept by a German family for over 100 years.
The treasures, first collected in the 1920's by the German diplomat to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his spouse Hedwig, were handed over on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the capital's university.
The collection contained royal crowns, armor and artistic works, all considered as historically significant in the nation.
"The items continue to serve as a mark of the long-standing and amicable connection between Germany and the Ethiopian people," stated the German diplomat, the representative to the East African country.
Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the family's assignment in Ethiopia, handed over the artefacts at a event witnessed by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.
He stated that the family's aim to restore the treasures was to "display their splendor with the audience and preserve the heritage and history linked to my parent's beginning."
These items were either considered donations or buys, as stated by the household.
"I would like to express gratitude to Professor Weiss's relatives for actively showing their sincere love for the nation by meticulously safeguarding these treasures and importantly ensuring their repatriation to their proper homeland," stated the official.
The minister noted that the artefacts would soon be opened to the public for research and scholarly work, calling the action a significant step in protecting Ethiopia's cultural heritage.
"Efforts will continue to repatriate historical objects that are located in the custody of collectors and institutions around the globe," the minister affirmed.
In the era of colonialism in the African continent, numerous of traditional items were plundered.
The request by the continent's states for the restoration of looted items has been answered with some progress in lately - even if a number of items are only on loan.
Back in 2022, the German government was the pioneering country to repatriate some of the famous Benin artifacts to the West African nation in a bid to deal with its "complex past."
Similar Subjects
- Cultural Repatriation Initiatives in the Continent
- This Significance of Colonial Past on Modern Ethiopian Culture
- International Campaigns for the Return of Looted Treasures
