Ethiopia Welcomes Cultural Items Following a 100-Year Residence in Germany
Exactly Twelve historical artefacts have been formally restored to Ethiopia following staying by a family in Germany for in excess of ten decades.
These items, originally collected in the 1920s by the German representative to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his wife his partner, were transferred on Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at the capital's university.
The collection contained royal crowns, shields and paintings, each considered as culturally valuable in the country.
"The treasures still represent a mark of the lasting and positive ties between the German nation and the Ethiopian people," said the German diplomat, Germany's representative to the East African country.
Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose father was delivered during the family's assignment in the nation, handed over the artefacts at a ceremony attended by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.
He explained that the family's intention to give back the artefacts was to "share their splendor with the audience and safeguard the culture and past connected to my father's beginning."
These artefacts were either presents or acquisitions, according to the household.
"I would like to thank Professor Weiss's household for actively expressing their profound affection for Ethiopia by diligently maintaining these treasures and importantly securing their repatriation to their legitimate country," commented the tourism minister.
She noted that the pieces would soon be opened to the public for research and academic study, describing the move a significant step in preserving the nation's historical legacy.
"Efforts are ongoing to bring back historical objects that are found in the possession of collectors and entities all over the globe," she said.
In the era of colonialism in Africa, thousands of cultural items were plundered.
The call by nations in Africa for the repatriation of stolen artefacts has been answered with certain success in lately - though some artefacts are merely on short-term display.
Back in two years ago, Germany was the pioneering country to give back a selection of the renowned Benin artifacts to the Nigerian people in a bid to address its "dark legacy."
Connected Topics
- Historical Return Movements in the Continent
- This Effect of Colonial Past on Modern African Heritage
- Global Movements for the Restitution of Stolen Treasures