Addis Ababa, August 25, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s iconic hominid fossils, Lucy (Dinknesh) and Selam, are providing historians and the public with a rare opportunity to explore the origins of humanity, Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa told Fana Media Corporation (FMC), as the fossils opened for exhibition today at the National Museum of the Czech Republic in Prague.
The exhibition, titled “People and Their Ancestors,” will run for two months and offers international audiences a firsthand look at the fossils that have firmly established Ethiopia as the cradle of humankind. Minister Selamawit described the exhibition as a priceless opportunity for scholars and visitors alike to engage with Ethiopia’s rich prehistoric heritage. She highlighted that the fossils act as ambassadors of Ethiopia and extended an invitation for participants to visit the Land of Origins.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala noted that Lucy and Selam provide a remarkable glimpse into human origins and praised the Czech government’s thorough preparations for the exhibition.
In a parallel initiative, Ethiopia and the Czech Republic signed an agreement to establish a children’s museum in Addis Ababa, coinciding with the exhibition. Minister Selamawit signed the agreement alongside officials from the Czech National Museum and the Czech Development Agency.
Under the agreement, the Czech government will provide financial support to construct the museum in Friendship Park II, Addis Ababa. Minister Selamawit told FMC that the museum will present Ethiopia’s history and culture in a way that is accessible, engaging, and educational for children.
Expressing her gratitude, Minister Selamawit thanked the Czech government for its support, emphasizing that the museum will enable future generations to learn about Ethiopia’s rich cultural and historical heritage while reinforcing the nation’s global image as the birthplace of humanity.