Addis Ababa, Wednesday, November 19, 2025 (FMC) — The German Embassy’s Charge d’Affaires in Ethiopia, Dr. Ferdinand von Weyhe, emphasized the historic and cultural significance of 12 Ethiopian artefacts returned from Europe, underscoring their role in deepening the longstanding friendship between Ethiopia and Germany.
The artefacts, originally collected in the 1920s by Franz Weiss, a German envoy to Ethiopia, and his wife Hedwig, were handed over today to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University.
The items, which include crowns, shields, swords, paintings, and gifts from Empress Zewditu and Ras Tafari Mekonnen, were returned through the initiative of their descendants, Professor Ramon Weiss and his niece Alice Weiss.
During his remarks at the handover ceremony, the German Embassy’s Charge d’Affaires noted that the embassy played a supportive role in the process, while the donation itself was entirely private.
He highlighted the Weiss family’s personal ties to Ethiopia and their close relationship with the royal court during the 1920s, stressing that the artefacts are a testament to historic diplomatic and cultural links between the two nations.
“The artefacts still stand as a symbol of the long-standing and friendly relationship between Germany and Ethiopia,” Dr. von Weyhe said, noting that the items’ safe transport to Addis Ababa involved coordination with Ethiopian customs and postal authorities.
He also underscored the research and educational value of the returned artefacts, pointing out that they will allow both scholars and the public to engage with Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage. In addition, the Charge d’Affaires highlighted the upcoming exhibition at the Goethe-Institut, which will feature 51 rare photographs taken by Franz and Hedwig Weiss during their stay in Ethiopia, offering insights into Ethiopian life in the 1920s.
Dr. von Weyhe further reflected on the Weiss family’s legacy, noting the historical context of Fritz Weiss, whose diplomatic career was interrupted due to his Jewish heritage, and the family’s decision to preserve and return the artefacts after generations abroad.
The handover and forthcoming exhibition were framed as a concrete example of Germany’s commitment to cultural cooperation, fostering dialogue and scholarly collaboration beyond formal diplomatic channels.
The returned artefacts are expected to enrich the Institute of Ethiopian Studies’ collections, while the photographs and digitized family records will be made accessible to researchers and the wider public, ensuring a lasting contribution to the study and appreciation of Ethiopia’s historical and cultural legacy.