🔗 Share this article The East African nation Receives Valuable Treasures Following a Century Residence in Germany This Group Comprises Crowns, Protective Gear and Artworks Each Viewed as Culturally Important Around 12 historical artefacts were officially restored to the Ethiopian nation following being kept by a German family for over 100 years. These treasures, initially acquired in the 1920s by Germany's then-envoy to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his spouse Hedwig, were handed over on this past Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at Addis Ababa University. The collection contained crowns, shields and artistic works, all regarded as historically valuable in the country. "These treasures continue to represent a symbol of the enduring and amicable relationship between the German nation and Ethiopia," said the German diplomat, Germany's ambassador to the East African country. Dr. a professor, whose parent was born during the family's assignment in the nation, presented the items at a ceremony witnessed by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa. He explained that the family's aim to give back the artefacts was to "share their beauty with the audience and maintain the culture and past connected to my parent's beginning." The Artefacts Are Set to Be Opened to the People for Research and Educational Purposes These artefacts were either presents or acquisitions, based on the family. "I would like to thank Professor Weiss's relatives for concretely showing their profound affection for the nation by carefully preserving these artifacts and crucially guaranteeing their return to their proper nation," stated the official. She added that the artefacts would soon be opened to the people for research and scholarly work, calling the decision a significant step in safeguarding Ethiopia's national treasures. "Initiatives persist to repatriate old items that are found in the hands of private persons and entities throughout the world," she affirmed. During colonial rule in the African continent, thousands of historical objects were looted. The demand by African countries for the return of taken objects has been met with some positive outcomes in the past few years - although some objects are just on short-term display. Back in two years ago, the German government was the initial country to repatriate some of the well-known historical items to Nigeria in a bid to confront its "complex colonial history." Connected Topics Cultural Repatriation Initiatives in Africa This Impact of Imperial Past on Modern African Heritage Global Campaigns for the Restitution of Stolen Treasures