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Around Twelve cultural items were formally given back to the Ethiopian nation following being kept by a household from Germany for in excess of ten decades.

The items, initially collected in the early twentieth century by the German then-envoy to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his spouse Hedwig, were handed over on this past Wednesday to the research center at the capital's university.

The assortment included royal crowns, protective shields and canvases, each considered as culturally significant in the country.

"The items continue to serve as a emblem of the long-standing and positive relationship between the German nation and Ethiopia," stated Ferdinand von Weyhe, Germany's representative to the East African country.

Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose parent was born during the household's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, handed over the items at a ceremony witnessed by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa.

He said that the household's aim to restore the items was to "display their beauty with the public and preserve the culture and history tied to my parent's origin."

These objects were either donations or purchases, based on the family.

"We want to express gratitude to Professor Weiss's family for practically expressing their profound love for Ethiopia by meticulously safeguarding these artifacts and crucially guaranteeing their repatriation to their proper country," commented the official.

She added that the artefacts would soon be opened to the people for study and educational purposes, describing the move a milestone in safeguarding Ethiopia's national treasures.

"Actions will continue to return historical objects that are found in the hands of collectors and entities all over the planet," the minister stated.

In the era of imperial control in Africa, thousands of historical items were taken.

The call by the continent's states for the restoration of looted objects has been responded to by a degree of positive outcomes in the past few years - though a number of objects are just on temporary return.

In the year 2022, the German government was the initial state to give back a selection of the well-known historical items to Nigeria in an attempt to deal with its "dark legacy."

Connected Themes

• Historical Restoration Movements in the Continent
• The Effect of Imperial Past on Modern African Culture
• Global Campaigns for the Restitution of Looted Items