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Ethiopia receives 12 historic artefacts held in Germany for 100 years

Twelve historical artefacts have been formally returned to Ethiopia after being kept by a German family for more than 100 years.

The artefacts, originally collected in the 1920s by Germany's then-envoy to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife Hedwig, were handed over on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University.

The collection included crowns, shields and paintings, all considered culturally and historically significant in Ethiopia.

"The artefacts still stand as a symbol of the long-standing and friendly relationship between Germany and Ethiopia," said Ferdinand von Weyhe, Germany's envoy to Ethiopia.

Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the family's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, handed over the items at a ceremony attended by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.

Returned artefacts to strengthen Ethiopia’s heritage, research, and tourism – Minister

Addis Ababa, November 19, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa said Wednesday that the return of Ethiopian artefacts from abroad offers a unique opportunity to preserve the country’s cultural heritage, support academic research, and attract both domestic and international visitors.

Twelve Ethiopian artefacts from the 1920s were returned to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies during a formal handover at Ras Makonnen Hall, Addis Ababa University, Wednesday. The collection, received by Dr. Yohannes Adigeh, Director of the Institute, includes crowns, decorated shields, a sword, paintings, and gifts once presented by Regent Ras Tafari Mekonnen, later Emperor Haile Selassie.

The ceremony was attended by Minister Selamawit Kassa, German Embassy officials, members of the Society of Friends of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies (SOFIS), and other dignitaries.

Ethiopia Receives Twelve Historical Artifacts from Germany, Marking a New Milestone in the Heritage Preservation, Academic Research and Cultural Tourism

On November 19, 2025, Ethiopia celebrated the return of 12 historical artifacts from Germany after having been kept in German collections for decades. The artifacts were formally handed over to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University in a ceremony that was attended by high-ranking Ethiopian and German officials. This marks one important step in ongoing efforts to reclaim Ethiopia’s cultural heritage and underscores the growing importance of international collaboration in heritage preservation.

The artifacts, which include shields, two ceremonial crowns, and paintings—some presented by Regent Tafari Makonnen—are highly important to the history of Ethiopia. The items had been donated by Professor Ramon Wyss and his niece, Alice Wise, descendants of Fritz Weiss, Germany’s envoy to Ethiopia in the 1920s, as part of a repatriation process initiated in 2016. Such returns are important for reinforcing Ethiopia’s cultural identity and historical narrative.

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