Join AFROMET | Return Treasure | Sign Petition
AFROMET - The Association for the Return of The Maqdala Ethiopian TreasuresDetail from the amulet of Emperor Tewodros
 Home | The History | The Treasure | News & Events | About Us
news & events
latest headlines

AFROMET statement on the return of the Tabot

AFROMET 24 January 2002

Statement by Professor Andreas Eshete, Chair of AFROMET, on the occasion of the Return of the Ethiopian Tabot from Edinburgh, Scotland.

"The Association for the Return of Maqdala Ethiopian Treasures (AFROMET) pays tribute to the congregation and to the Rector, the Rev John McLuckie, of St. John's Episcopal Church, Edinburgh, Scotland, for the return to Ethiopia of the Tabot - a Representation of the Ark of the Covenant - looted from Maqdala in 1868. This magnanimous act is a singular expression of solidarity between the peoples of Scotland and Ethiopia, which will be welcomed throughout Ethiopia.

"We also welcome the call issued by members of St. John's Episcopal Church for the restitution of other treasures from Maqdala - an invaluable collection of ecclesiastical and other manuscripts, tabots, processional crosses, a golden chalice and a golden crown, and other cultural artifacts held at British institutions, including the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Library, the Bodleian Library, and the Royal Library, Windsor Castle.

"Energised by this happy occasion, AFROMET reaffirms its determination to campaign for the return of all the Maqdala treasures. We are also confident that the exemplary gesture of St John's Episcopal Church will inspire others in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe - particularly the Italian Government - to rectify long-standing injustice by returning objects of central importance to Ethiopia's cultural patrimony.

"AFROMET salutes St. John's Episcopal Church and the Scottish people for their exceptional contribution to the cause of justice."

Andreas Eshete,
Chair,
AFROMET

« previous article | main news page | next article »
 
treasure count:
468 items
still missing
10 items
returned
(still counting)

search news
sort by subject

appeals
discoveries
returns
the campaign
the debate

archives

August 2007
May 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
June 2004
May 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
December 2002
November 2002
September 2002
July 2002
April 2002
March 2002
February 2002
January 2002
December 2001
August 2000
February 2000
July 1999
April 1999
November 1998
March 1998

syndicate

XML

powered by

Movable Type 2.63