The East African nation Receives Cultural Treasures Following a 100-Year Residence in a German Family

A total of 12 ancient artefacts have been formally restored to the Ethiopian nation after staying by a German family for over a century.

The items, originally gathered in the 1920's by the German diplomat to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were delivered on midweek to the research center at Addis Ababa University.

The assortment contained crowns, shields and paintings, all considered as culturally valuable in Ethiopia.

"The items continue to serve as a mark of the long-standing and positive connection between Germany and Ethiopia," remarked the German diplomat, Germany's ambassador to Ethiopia.

Professor a professor, whose father was born during the family's service in Ethiopia, handed over the objects at a ceremony joined by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.

He stated that the family's intention to restore the artefacts was to "showcase their splendor with the people and safeguard the heritage and past linked to my parent's birth."

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

"I would like to express gratitude to the Weiss household for practically showing their deep love for the nation by diligently preserving these artifacts and vitally ensuring their return to their rightful country," stated the tourism minister.

The minister continued that the items would in the near future be opened to the public for investigation and scholarly work, terming the action a landmark in preserving Ethiopia's national treasures.

"Efforts are ongoing to bring back historical items that are found in the possession of private persons and entities around the world," the minister said.

In the era of colonial rule in Africa, numerous of traditional items were plundered.

This request by the continent's states for the repatriation of taken objects has been answered with some progress in the past few years - even if a number of artefacts are just on short-term display.

Back in 2022, the German government was the initial country to give back a selection of the well-known Benin Bronzes to the West African nation in a bid to address its "troubled legacy."

Connected Subjects

• Cultural Return Efforts in the Continent
• The Effect of Imperial History on Contemporary Ethiopian Heritage
• Global Movements for the Restitution of Stolen Treasures