The East African nation Welcomes Cultural Items After a Century Holding in a German Family
A total of 12 cultural artefacts have been officially given back to the Ethiopian nation following being kept by a family in Germany for over 100 years.
These items, originally acquired in the 1920's by the German diplomat to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his spouse Hedwig, were transferred on this past Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at Addis Ababa University.
The set included crowns, armor and canvases, each regarded as historically significant in Ethiopia.
"The items still represent a symbol of the long-standing and friendly relationship between the German nation and the Ethiopian people," remarked Germany's envoy, Germany's ambassador to Ethiopia.
Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose parent was born during the family's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, handed over the items at a gathering witnessed by Tourism Minister the tourism official.
He stated that the household's intention to return the items was to "display their appeal with the public and preserve the culture and history tied to my father's birth."
These artefacts were either considered donations or purchases, based on the family.
"We would like to thank Professor Weiss's relatives for concretely demonstrating their deep love for the nation by carefully safeguarding these items and vitally ensuring their repatriation to their rightful homeland," commented the tourism minister.
The minister continued that the pieces would soon be available to the general audience for investigation and scholarly work, calling the move a milestone in protecting Ethiopia's cultural heritage.
"Efforts are ongoing to return historical artifacts that are found in the custody of collectors and organizations around the planet," the minister stated.
In the era of imperial control in the African continent, many of historical objects were looted.
The request by the continent's states for the restoration of taken objects has been answered with a degree of positive outcomes in recent years - even if a number of items are merely on temporary return.
In the year 2022, Germany was the pioneering state to give back some of the famous Benin Bronzes to the West African nation in a bid to confront its "complex past."
Similar Topics
- Cultural Return Movements in Africa
- This Significance of Colonial History on Modern African Culture
- Global Campaigns for the Restitution of Looted Artefacts
