The East African nation Receives Historic Treasures After a 100-Year Residence in a German Family
Exactly Twelve cultural artefacts were ceremoniously restored to Ethiopia following being kept by a family in Germany for more than a century.
These artefacts, initially gathered in the 1920's by the German representative to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were handed over on this past Wednesday to the research center at the university in Addis Ababa.
The assortment included royal crowns, armor and artistic works, each considered as culturally important in the nation.
"The items still represent a mark of the lasting and positive ties between Germany and Ethiopia," remarked Germany's envoy, the representative to Ethiopia.
Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the household's assignment in Ethiopia, handed over the objects at a event witnessed by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa.
He said that the household's intention to return the treasures was to "showcase their beauty with the audience and safeguard the culture and history linked to my father's birth."
The items were either considered gifts or buys, according to the family.
"I want to thank the Weiss family for actively showing their profound affection for Ethiopia by meticulously maintaining these treasures and crucially securing their repatriation to their proper homeland," said the minister of tourism.
She added that the items would soon be made accessible to the public for research and educational purposes, describing the decision a significant step in safeguarding Ethiopia's historical legacy.
"Initiatives are ongoing to bring back historical artifacts that are held in the hands of individuals and entities throughout the world," the minister said.
During colonial rule in Africa, many of historical artefacts were taken.
The call by nations in Africa for the return of stolen objects has been responded to by some success in lately - even if several objects are just on temporary return.
In two years ago, the German government was the pioneering nation to return some of the renowned historical items to the West African nation in a bid to confront its "dark colonial history."
Connected Topics
- Historical Restoration Movements in Africa
- The Significance of Colonial History on Contemporary African Culture
- International Campaigns for the Restitution of Stolen Artefacts
