Ethiopia Receives Valuable Items After a Long Holding in a German Family

A total of Twelve historical artefacts were formally restored to Ethiopia after being kept by a German family for more than 100 years.

These treasures, initially gathered in the 1920's by the German representative to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his wife Hedwig, were handed over on midweek to the research center at the university in Addis Ababa.

This assortment contained royal crowns, armor and canvases, all regarded as historically important in Ethiopia.

"These items continue to represent a mark of the enduring and amicable relationship between Germany and Ethiopia," remarked Germany's envoy, Germany's representative to Ethiopia.

Dr. a professor, whose parent was delivered during the family's diplomatic posting in the nation, handed over the items at a gathering joined by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa.

He explained that the family's goal to give back the artefacts was to "share their appeal with the public and maintain the heritage and history linked to my parent's birth."

These objects were either considered donations or purchases, as stated by the household.

"I want to thank Professor Weiss's relatives for concretely showing their deep affection for Ethiopia by carefully maintaining these items and vitally ensuring their repatriation to their legitimate nation," commented the tourism minister.

The minister added that the items would shortly be made accessible to the public for study and academic study, terming the move a milestone in safeguarding the nation's cultural heritage.

"Initiatives will continue to bring back old artifacts that are found in the hands of individuals and organizations around the world," she said.

During imperial control in Africa, many of traditional items were plundered.

The call by nations in Africa for the restoration of taken artefacts has been answered with some progress in recent years - though several items are merely on loan.

In 2022, the German government was the pioneering country to give back a portion of the well-known Benin artifacts to the West African nation as part of an effort to confront its "troubled colonial history."

Connected Themes

• Cultural Return Efforts in the Continent
• This Significance of Imperial Past on Contemporary African Culture
• International Campaigns for the Restitution of Stolen Artefacts