The East African nation Takes Back Cultural Treasures After a Century Residence in a German Family
Around 12 historical artefacts were officially restored to Ethiopia after staying by a household from Germany for in excess of 100 years.
The items, initially acquired in the 1920s by the German diplomat to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his wife Hedwig, were delivered on Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at Addis Ababa University.
The set featured royal crowns, protective shields and canvases, all viewed as culturally significant in the country.
"These artefacts still serve as a emblem of the lasting and amicable connection between the German nation and Ethiopia," stated the German diplomat, Germany's envoy to the East African country.
Dr. a professor, whose father was born during the family's service in the nation, presented the items at a ceremony witnessed by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.
He said that the family's goal to give back the treasures was to "display their beauty with the people and safeguard the culture and history linked to my parent's origin."
These items were either considered presents or acquisitions, according to the family.
"We want to express gratitude to the Weiss household for practically showing their profound love for Ethiopia by meticulously maintaining these items and crucially securing their homecoming to their rightful nation," stated the tourism minister.
She added that the artefacts would soon be available to the general audience for investigation and academic study, calling the move a significant step in preserving the nation's national treasures.
"Efforts are ongoing to return old objects that are held in the hands of individuals and entities around the world," she said.
In the era of colonialism in the African continent, many of cultural items were plundered.
This call by the continent's states for the return of stolen items has been met with certain positive outcomes in lately - even if several artefacts are only on temporary return.
In the year 2022, Germany was the pioneering nation to repatriate a selection of the well-known historical items to the West African nation as part of an effort to address its "troubled colonial history."
Similar Subjects
- Historical Restoration Movements in the Continent
- This Significance of Colonial Past on Modern African Culture
- Global Campaigns for the Restitution of Looted Items
