Addis Ababa, August 26, 2025 (FMC) —Ethiopia’s iconic hominid fossils, Lucy and Selam, have captivated global audiences as they are displayed together for the first time in Europe at the National Museum in Prague.
The exhibition, titled “People and Their Ancestors”, opened on August 25 and will run for 60 days, offering international audiences a rare opportunity to explore the origins of humanity.
Lucy, a 3.18-million-year-old Australopithecus afarensis discovered in 1974 by paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson, and Selam, a 3.3-million-year-old fossil of a child of the same species discovered in 2000 by Professor Zeresenay Alemseged, are being loaned by the Ethiopian Ministry of Tourism from the National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala hailed the exhibition as a “historic moment” and noted that the display of Lucy and Selam offers a remarkable glimpse into human origins.
Ethiopian Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa emphasized the importance of the exhibition in fostering international collaboration and understanding, stating, “By sharing these treasures, we invite the world to connect with our shared human origins.”
The event has drawn extensive coverage from international media outlets.
Yahoo News reported on the rare opportunity for European audiences to view the fossils, noting that “the 3.18-million-year-old bone fragments of human ancestor Lucy, which rarely leave Ethiopia, went on display in Prague on Monday.”
France24 highlighted the scientific importance of the exhibition, stating that “the ancient remains of the human ancestor Lucy, who lived 3.18 million years ago, have gone on display for 60 days in Prague as part of the exhibition.”
Courthouse News provided details about the fossils’ journey from Ethiopia to Prague, mentioning the strict security measures taken during transportation, and emphasizing the exhibition’s role in promoting scientific research.
ABC News focused on the logistics of the exhibition, detailing the preparations made to ensure the safety and preservation of the fossils, and highlighting the collaboration between Ethiopian and Czech institutions to make this exhibition possible.
Radio Prague International offered an in-depth look at the exhibition, featuring interviews with experts and showcasing the significance of displaying these fossils in Europe.
The Jakarta Post covered the event, providing details about the fossils’ journey from Ethiopia to Prague, mentioning the strict security measures taken during transportation, and emphasizing the exhibition’s role in promoting scientific research.
Xinhua News Agency reported on the exhibition, highlighting the cultural and diplomatic significance of showcasing these fossils in Europe.
In its coverage, Radio Prague International noted that the exhibition has also garnered attention for its cultural and diplomatic significance.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala remarked that the display of Lucy and Selam offers a remarkable glimpse into human origins, adding that the Czech government had made thorough preparations for the exhibition.
For her part, Ethiopian Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa highlighted that showcasing Lucy and Selam in Prague provides researchers with a rare opportunity to study the fossils firsthand, and she extended an invitation to participants to visit Ethiopia, the Land of Origins.
As the exhibition continues to attract visitors from around the world, it serves as a testament to the shared human heritage and the importance of preserving and sharing our collective past.
The display of Lucy and Selam in Prague not only offers a rare opportunity for the public to engage with human evolutionary history but also strengthens the cultural ties between Ethiopia and the Czech Republic.
This exhibition not only offers a rare opportunity for the public to engage with human evolutionary history but also strengthens the cultural ties between Ethiopia and the Czech Republic.