The East African nation Takes Back Valuable Artefacts After a Long Residence in Germany

A total of 12 historical artefacts have been formally returned to Ethiopia after remaining by a family in Germany for over ten decades.

The artefacts, originally collected in the early twentieth century by Germany's then-envoy to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his spouse Hedwig, were delivered on this past Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at the capital's university.

The collection featured crowns, armor and paintings, each considered as culturally valuable in the country.

"The items continue to stand as a emblem of the long-standing and positive relationship between Germany and the Ethiopian people," said the German diplomat, Germany's ambassador to Ethiopia.

Professor a professor, whose father was delivered during the family's diplomatic posting in the nation, presented the items at a event joined by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.

He stated that the household's goal to give back the items was to "share their appeal with the audience and maintain the culture and past connected to my parent's birth."

These items were either considered donations or acquisitions, according to the family.

"We would like to thank Professor Weiss's household for practically expressing their profound appreciation for Ethiopia by carefully maintaining these artifacts and crucially guaranteeing their repatriation to their legitimate country," said the official.

The minister continued that the pieces would soon be made accessible to the general audience for investigation and scholarly work, describing the action a milestone in preserving the nation's cultural heritage.

"Initiatives persist to bring back old artifacts that are located in the custody of individuals and institutions all over the world," the minister affirmed.

In the era of colonialism in the African continent, numerous of historical objects were plundered.

The request by African countries for the restoration of looted objects has been met with certain positive outcomes in the past few years - though some objects are merely on temporary return.

Back in two years ago, the German government was the pioneering country to repatriate a selection of the renowned Benin artifacts to the Nigerian people in an attempt to deal with its "dark colonial history."

Connected Subjects

• Historical Repatriation Initiatives in Africa
• This Impact of Colonial Past on Contemporary Ethiopian Culture
• International Movements for the Return of Stolen Treasures