The East African nation Takes Back Cultural Treasures Following a Century Stay in Germany

Exactly 12 historical items were officially restored to Ethiopia following being kept by a German family for more than a century.

These treasures, initially collected in the 1920's by the German representative to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his spouse his partner, were delivered on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the university in Addis Ababa.

This set contained crowns, shields and canvases, each viewed as culturally important in the nation.

"These items still represent a mark of the long-standing and friendly connection between the German nation and the Ethiopian people," stated Ferdinand von Weyhe, Germany's representative to Ethiopia.

Professor a professor, whose father was born during the household's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, handed over the objects at a event attended by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa.

He said that the household's goal to give back the artefacts was to "showcase their appeal with the audience and preserve the heritage and past tied to my father's birth."

These objects were either considered gifts or buys, as stated by the household.

"I want to express gratitude to the Weiss household for practically demonstrating their sincere love for the nation by diligently safeguarding these artifacts and vitally guaranteeing their homecoming to their proper nation," commented the tourism minister.

She noted that the items would in the near future be available to the public for research and scholarly work, calling the decision a milestone in safeguarding the nation's national treasures.

"Efforts are ongoing to return ancient objects that are held in the custody of individuals and entities throughout the planet," the minister stated.

In the era of colonial rule in the African continent, many of historical artefacts were looted.

This call by nations in Africa for the repatriation of stolen objects has been met with certain positive outcomes in lately - though several objects are merely on loan.

Back in the year 2022, the German government was the initial country to repatriate a portion of the famous Benin Bronzes to the West African nation in an attempt to confront its "troubled past."

Similar Subjects

• Cultural Restoration Movements in the Continent
• The Significance of Colonial Past on Contemporary Ethiopian Culture
• Global Movements for the Return of Stolen Treasures