Ethiopia Receives Historic Items After a Century Holding in Germany

Around 12 cultural objects were officially restored to the Ethiopian nation after being kept by a German family for in excess of 100 years.

These artefacts, first gathered in the 1920's by the German then-envoy to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were handed over on this past Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the university in Addis Ababa.

The assortment contained crowns, shields and paintings, each considered as historically important in the nation.

"These artefacts continue to represent a mark of the enduring and amicable relationship between Germany and Ethiopia," remarked the German diplomat, the representative to the East African country.

Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the household's diplomatic posting in the nation, handed over the objects at a event attended by Tourism Minister the tourism official.

He said that the household's aim to give back the treasures was to "share their splendor with the audience and preserve the heritage and past tied to my parent's origin."

The artefacts were either considered presents or buys, according to the family.

"I want to express gratitude to the Weiss relatives for concretely demonstrating their profound love for Ethiopia by diligently preserving these treasures and importantly guaranteeing their return to their proper country," said the minister of tourism.

The minister added that the pieces would in the near future be made accessible to the public for investigation and academic study, describing the decision a landmark in safeguarding Ethiopia's historical legacy.

"Actions will continue to repatriate old items that are held in the possession of private persons and institutions throughout the world," the minister affirmed.

During imperial control in Africa, numerous of historical items were plundered.

The call by nations in Africa for the repatriation of stolen objects has been met with some success in recent years - though several items are merely on temporary return.

Back in two years ago, Germany was the initial nation to repatriate some of the renowned Benin artifacts to the West African nation in a bid to address its "dark colonial history."

Connected Subjects

• Historical Return Movements in the Continent
• This Significance of Colonial History on Contemporary Ethiopian Culture
• International Movements for the Restitution of Looted Artefacts