(Apr 08, 2013, (Addis Ababa))--Ethiopia
is battling to bring back more than three thousand artifacts scattered
around the globe, a substantial part of its historic heritage. According
to Wolde Darsema from the Heritage Authority, thousands of historic
items, ranging from the monumental to the miniscule, are to be found in
museums or in private hands in France, Israel, Vatican, Germany, Italy,
the UK and elsewhere.
The Authority said that in addition to the more obvious and better known items in museums, it is also working to bring back artifacts in the hands of individuals through diplomatic channels; it is also trying to purchase articles or persuade people to present them as a gift.
Efforts so far have managed to recover the Axum Obelisk, the gold Lalibela cross and a handful of other historic items. Wolde
Darsema said that the task of recovering many of these items was
particularly difficult as many are in private hands, and museums remain
reluctant to part with items however obtained.
The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs is cooperating with the Heritage Management
Authority, and the MFA Spokesperson, Ambassador Dina, says the Ministry
is working to bring back the various artifacts through bilateral
channels.
Source: ERTA
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