The East African nation Receives Cultural Artefacts After a 100-Year Residence in a German Family
Exactly Twelve ancient artefacts were ceremoniously restored to the Ethiopian nation following remaining by a family in Germany for more than ten decades.
These artefacts, originally acquired in the 1920's by Germany's diplomat to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his spouse Hedwig, were transferred on midweek to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the capital's university.
The collection included royal crowns, armor and canvases, each regarded as historically significant in the nation.
"The items still serve as a emblem of the lasting and positive ties between the German nation and the Ethiopian people," said Ferdinand von Weyhe, Germany's representative to the East African country.
Dr. a professor, whose father was born during the household's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, handed over the items at a event attended by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.
He said that the household's intention to restore the items was to "share their beauty with the people and preserve the heritage and past connected to my parent's birth."
These items were either gifts or purchases, based on the relatives.
"We want to thank the Weiss relatives for practically expressing their deep appreciation for Ethiopia by meticulously safeguarding these items and crucially ensuring their return to their rightful country," commented the tourism minister.
The minister added that the artefacts would soon be made accessible to the public for research and academic study, describing the move a milestone in protecting Ethiopia's cultural heritage.
"Efforts persist to return old artifacts that are located in the custody of collectors and organizations around the planet," she affirmed.
During colonial rule in the African continent, many of historical items were taken.
The call by the continent's states for the restoration of looted artefacts has been answered with some success in lately - even if a number of objects are merely on short-term display.
In 2022, Germany was the first country to repatriate a selection of the famous historical items to the Nigerian people in a bid to deal with its "dark colonial history."
Similar Themes
- Historical Repatriation Movements in the Continent
- The Significance of Colonial History on Modern African Culture
- Global Movements for the Restitution of Looted Treasures
