Italians Protest Return of Axum Obelisk

zoomata.com staff updated:Wed Oct. 22 7:51 amWith a dramatic last-minute timing worthy of opera, Italians are protesting the return of the Axum Obelisk to Ethiopia.
The Italian government agreed to give back this enormous chunk of fascist booty over 50 years ago, but only got around to taking it apart earlier this month. Slated to arrive in Africa in early November, the 80-foot, 150-ton obelisk is wrapped in scaffolding and once again the center of controversy.

Italian wire services reported that a mysterious ‘protest committee’ plans try to stop the delicate work to take apart the monument.
No details about committee members were provided but just that the group believes the ‘obelisk should stay in Rome’ and that some sort of protest was planned for this week in Piazza Carpena.
One thing is certain — Italians have mixed feelings about doing the right thing. Newsweekly Panorama published a mock-up photo to show what the ‘naked’ square will look like and several newspapers have published letters from readers who feel the plunder has become part of the Italian patrimony.
Piazza Carpena won’t be left empty, however. According to Nicola DeMarco, whose grandfather was a colonist in Ethiopia under Mussolini, a group of Italian and international artists will create a peace monumenton that site to commemorate the years of peace between Ethiopia and Italy and as a reminder of the evils of Fascism.

The granite monument will be sent back as damaged goods — it was partially shattered by lightning in 2001.
Taken by order of Benito Mussolini in 1937, the Ethiopian government has been trying to get it back for over half a century. Lightning struck the deserted piazza around 1 a.m., probably attracted as much by the shape as the steel braces added when the monument was transported. The incident also shattered the argument by Italian officials that the relic was in better hands in the Bel Paese.

The pre-Christian relic once crowned the city of Aksum, then center of trade in ivory, animal skins and grain in the ancient Ethiopian empire. The Obelisk was the latest in a series of heated arguments for return of stolen art — one that found Italians as the accused. Owning over 60% of the world’s art treasures, according to UNESCO, usually places Italy in the position of petitioning for its own looted treasures. One recent example: after years of negotiations, the Getty Museum in California was prevailed upon to return 500 terracotta and bronze pieces to a Calabrian museum in 2001.

Foot-dragging by Italian authorities meant that agreements to return the obelisk to Ethiopia, signed as early as 1947, never amounted to action. Italian government officials, most vocally Vittorio Sgarbi, have protested the restitution both because of political instability in the African region as well as complications in shipping the heavy monument.

Placed at the center of piazza di Porta Capena, close to the Circus Maximus, Italian Culture Minister Giulio Urbani told newspapers after lightning struck that the sculpture would be restoredand sent home — and it only took two years to sort out the shipment. ©1999-2007 zoomata.com

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45 thoughts on “Italians Protest Return of Axum Obelisk

  1. Before they protest, the Italians should learn to return the looted property of Ethiopia. The protest of the Italians would mean to send a amessage to the Ethiopian not to forgot their pains. The Italians should not underestimate the Ethiopian for being poor. Tomorrow they can be rich. The Italian should return the looted oblisk to its position rather than putting a cancer to their next generation at the heart of Rome and waiting for the Ethiopian to invade Italy and to take it by force.

    Alula

  2. It is very scary…. a secret committee….trying to keep what Il Duce has looted…and then what ? Getting back the Black Shirts? Going back to the “glory of” Fascism? Where would you stop?
    SHAME!SHAME!SHAME!SHAME!SHAME ON YOU!
    Alex,
    Canada

  3. We are not forget for ever,how many people you guy`s killed by used your technology and gas that time, even wasn`t enough for you. you and British lootted our traditonal and cultural Tressure. However, you guy`s are responsible what happened three in row(chronical) chrises.
    shame on you, u gotta to reture that Obelisk as u took it.

    Rastafarai

  4. The forthcoming protest of the narrow minded Italians may delay the oblisk from being returned to its honourable place Ethiopia, but it can never help for staying the oblisk at the center of piazza di Porta Capena. Our cultural heritage forsure would be returned to its right place sooner than later.
    Justice shall win,
    Mesfin(Dn.)
    From Toronto

  5. I want to understand the real logical reason ,if any,for these guys to oppose the return.66 years !!.It has been so long with overdue or late fee.Return the book to the owner library !!!

  6. THE PROTEST IS A REMINDER TO THE WORLD THAT ITALY’S UGLY PAST IS STILL LINGERING ON MORE THAN 60 YEARS LATER. IT IS VERY SAD.

  7. What are the Italians thinking?
    Do they know that Ethiopians may be poor but determined and goal focused when it comes to defending and geting what they think is theirs? I hope they re- think and come in to educated decission befor it is too late. Or ealse, the Adwa show will be in Roma.
    Axumawe-Canada

  8. Italians are not known to honor their promisses with Ethiopia. This is their last chance to show some dignity and honor in their promisses. It is immoral to defend the practice of fascist looting except for the Italian mind. I hope they took lessons from the battle of Adwa.

    Ras Mesfin

  9. I don?t know why Ethiopia is insisting in shipping a heap of rock half way around the world. I think the country (Ethiopia) would be served better if Italy either give Ethiopia farm machinery, erect a factory or do some thing that can help Ethiopia cope with its dire situation.
    All this hoopla about a resolution that has been ignored for 66 years is meaningless. Italy should be allowed to have a reminder for its atrocity right there in the middle of the City. You take away the obelisk there is nothing to remind them about their insane leader Mussolini.
    I wish Dr. Alula will push for some thing that is meaningful than transporting a crumbling rock. Lets erect the one that has been lying for so long in Ethiopia cash out the one in Italy and get on with the business of nation building.
    For heaven sakes people are dying of starvation, disease and all what we are abbessesd with is a granite?
    If all the people who are pushing for the return of the obelisk really care about Ethiopia, what they need to do is leave the city stop all imports start from scratch and thinker about improving farming not with imported machinery but with farm mechanism that can be produced locally, and help Ethiopia feed it self. Implant confidence in the young generation. Stop the half baked education system that will get us nowhere. Support and work with the leaders and support each other. Stop bickering and ask what can be done to pull the Mother land out of the misery it is in.
    A nation that shape its foreign, national security and fiscal policy based on the will of donor nations should not call itself an independent nation and should not bother about an old granite that is half damaged.
    The time will come when Ethiopia will claim all its looted artifacts that are kept in England, America and Italy. Italy owes Ethiopia war reparation and other compensations and all that will be dealt with after Ethiopia stand on its own two feet. For the time being let us ask for tons of pick axe, shovels not tones of stone.

    Just a thought

  10. Right, we will go to war to get all the artifact that Britain is also keeping in its you know what.
    What we need is development, irrigation, dams not obelisk. We got lalibela, one of the wonders of the world do you know what that would have meant if it was in UK, Us or some where in Europe. Can you tell me the intrinsic value from the rock that you are trying to bring back to Ethiopia.
    We got enough artifacts historical places, right now what Ethiopia need is food, medicine etc. Please focus on that.

    Just a thought

  11. So, why don’t u go and start digging to build the dam, instead of telling someone else? If that is what you believe in, go, start digging, if we thought it is good, we will follow u. And at the same time, let people explain their thoughts. And for ur information, the obelisk belongs to us, so when it comes to getting back what is ours, there is no enough, OKAY! do u get me?! If we r demanding someone else’s staff, u may say, “yes, we have anough, we dont need it”. Hey, this is not a shoes, or a shirt, it is 150-ton Obelisk.

    A development of a country comes in different ways, not only in tourism, and NOT ONLY IN AGRICULTURE(or the irrigation u r telling me about), but both. May be u just graduated outta an agriculture college, that’s why u dreaming and talkin about IRRIGATION. Just because there is a drought in our country, it doesnt mean we shall loose our confidence to demand what is ours! Shall we? Answer me Mr. single-minded guy.

  12. So, why don’t u go and start digging to build the dam, instead of telling someone else? If that is what you believe in, go, start digging, if we thought it is good, we will follow u. And at the same time, let people explain their thoughts. And for ur information, the obelisk belongs to us, so when it comes to getting back what is ours, there is no enough, OKAY! do u get me?! If we r demanding someone else’s staff, u may say, “yes, we have anough, we dont need it”. Hey, this is not a shoes, or a shirt, it is 150-ton Obelisk.

    A development of a country comes in different ways, not only in tourism, and NOT ONLY IN AGRICULTURE(or the irrigation u r telling me about), but both. May be u just graduated outta an agriculture college, that’s why u dreaming and talkin about IRRIGATION. Just because there is a drought in our country, it doesnt mean we shall loose our confidence to demand what is ours! Shall we? Answer me Mr. single-minded guy.

  13. Everyone doesnt have to be a farmer! May be in your Kingdom! In normal places, some are farmers, some are Doctors, and some are TOURISM EXPERTS!

  14. Let the ones that are working on bringing back the Oblisk keep working, and you follow ur way brother-wich is farming, and which is a good thing too. Don’t try hard to bring people to believing in what you believe. I believe all are good, meaning farming is good for our country, and bringing the obelisk too. You both keep up, and support eachother.

  15. Italy- Return back the property to its own country.its nothing for them to stand an obelisk of an identity of African nation. today we are here in the twenty- first century of the new Millenium it is not a time of war as they did colonised African country by force we are here in the war of Diplomacy thanks to the Ethiopian Government and the International community for for the Diplomatic process. Welcome back home our Obelisk ! it is the historical and identical of our nation.it is finaly as a big victory to the people of Ethiopia and Double shame -Twice beaten to the Fascists.
    Samson (Axumawe)

  16. It is not just crumbling rock, but a history!!

    How can a country exchange its history and pride for food or something that will vanish? We Ethiopians are economically poor but not menatlly, we have a great 3000 yrs of history and great history making people.

    By making peace and statbility with in our selves we can pull our country from the deep ocean of poor economy with in few years. It is a matter of leadership.

    So please do not tell us to get our historical items back in exchange for food or somethingelse.

    Alemayehu L. J.

  17. It is not just crumbling rock, but a history!!

    How can a country exchange its history and pride for food or something that will vanish? We Ethiopians are economically poor but not menatlly, we have a great 3000 yrs of history and great history making people.

    By making peace and statbility with in our selves we can pull our country from the deep ocean of poor economy with in few years. It is a matter of leadership.

    So please do not tell us to get food or somethingelse in exchange for our historical items.

    Alemayehu L. J.

  18. Let us be pragmatic about the issue. The Obelisk is part of the Ethiopian history and is in commemoration of one of the greatest empires in ethiopian history. The Italian invasion, which was repeled my the patriotic forefathers,took this hisotric icon of ethiopian history. In ontherwords, it doesnt make sense to have this Obelsik in Rome which has no significance to Italian history at all. It might be taken as a a commemoratation of the war which to some extent make sense.However, since it is more attached to Ethiopian history, i beleive, the return of this hisotrical ‘Ethiopian icon’ will be cherished by many Ethiopians.I am more than glad and happy to hear this and appreciate the initative by both Ethiopian/Italian governments for restoring back to our historically rich country. Yitatek K. Yitbarek

  19. PATRIOTICISM!!!

    I will try to briefly answer some of the issues raised by the visitor.
    First,history does not have anything to do with the incenticves which you have mentioned. You are right that the country is in deep economic turmoil and poverty, but its history never dies to cherish what we are. After all the issues which you have mentioned can be tackled with hard work and socio-economic reforms which I believe that Ethiopia has the potential.The Obelisk is ‘Ethiopian history icon’ and identity for all Ethiopians not a ‘granite’. We appreciate your concerns and thoughts.

    Yitatek K. Yitbarek

  20. DO you think that the italians need our obelisk as a reminder to their leader mousoloni ?.Ridiculous!!.May be we can make a large portrait or photo of the obelisk and put at the place where now it stands.Agree ?

  21. I think the monument should stay in Italy. I am an Ethiopian. I have visited many parts of Ethiopia where historical sites are not preserved well and are left to decay. Thus the Axum obelisk will be better preserved in Italy than in Ethiopia.

  22. That is wrong for you to say ” I am an Ethiopian”.
    What is ours is ours and should be in Ethiopia no matter what. We better push our political leadres for better presservation of our historical icons.

    Alemayehu L. J.

  23. Obiviously you are not an Ethiopian. If you are, you are one of those “kitt asswogee” people. But my gut feeling is you are from the north who hate to see the return of an Ethiopian glory because it will overshadow the creation of Mussolon asmarino/italiano. Testa di colo!

    Your suggestion is as damn as exchanging your oxe for a bag of ashes.

    Proud Ethiopian

  24. That is wrong for you to say ” I am an Ethiopian”.
    What is ours is ours and should be in Ethiopia no matter what. We better push our political leadres for better presservation of our historical icons.

    Alemayehu L. J.

  25. what do u mean preserved ? What about the damage due to the recent lightining ?Have u ever visited the obelisks at Axum ?

  26. Are you out of your mind? Think not twice but many time. You are so confused. The rock is our identity! Who we are is written on the rock.
    I do understand that we should develop our economy, but that doesn’t mean that we should forget our identity.Answer me Mr. confused and single-minded guy!!!!

    ethiomt@yahoo.com

  27. YOUR ARE VERY WRONG! Are you out of your mind? Think not twice but many time. You are so confused. The rock is our identity! Who we are is written on the rock.

    thiomt@yahoo.com

  28. I THINK THE ITALIANS DIDN’T GET ENOUGH LESSON FROM THIER SHAMEFUL PAST. THEY SHOULD NEVER FORGET THE BATTLE OF ADWA. FOR THOSE WHO FORGET IT GAVE THE ETHIOPIANS A NEW LEGEND AND PRIDE, WHILE ON THE OTHER SIDE IT LEFT TO THE ITALIANS A HUMILIATING MEMORY AND WAS THE GREATEST MILITARY DEFEAT INCURRED BY ANY EUROPEAN NATION AT THE HANDS OF AFRICANS.
    WHAT REMAINED FOR MANY ITALIANS WAS/IS A SENSE OF HUMILIATION AND SHAMEFUL SCARE. REVENGE FOR ADWA HAS BECOME A MEASURE OF ITALIAN NATIONAL POTENCY. THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO RETURN THE OBLISK BECAUSE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY PRESSURE BUT NOT FROM ITS GOODWILL.
    THIER SENSE OF REVENGE WAS STARTED BY THIER “HERO” MUSSOLINI AND STILL CONTINOING TODAY.
    WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THAT MUSSOLINI IS STILL LIVING IN ROME. THE WHOLE WORLD WE WILL SEE MUSSOLINI IN THIS WEEK IN PIAZZA CARPENA AT THE DEMONISTRATION.
    I THINK ALL ETHIOPIANS SHOULD SHOW OUR SOLIDARITY FOR THE SUCCESSFUL RETURN OF THE OBLISK LIKE OUR FATHERS DID IN THE PAST.

    GLORIOUS ETHIOPIA WILL REVEAL SOON!

    ethiomt@yahoo.com

  29. I do not see the point why we strive thus far .. let’s not be emotional and ask our self what is the benefit we get after the return of that rock hewn? To me let the Italian keep that instead we should deal with Italy to build Schools, Hospitals and other basic infrastructural facilities .We should be able to identify and prioritize our needs.It is obvious that history is the witness for the properitorship. We can raise this issue when we are able to facilitate and overcome our severe problem and get strength in socio-economic and political axis.
    Firezer Nega(US)

  30. I do not see the point why we strive thus far .. let’s not be emotional and ask our self what is the benefit we get after the return of that rock hewn? To me let the Italian keep that instead we should deal with Italy to build Schools, Hospitals and other basic infrastructural facilities .We should be able to identify and prioritize our needs.It is obvious that history is the witness for the properitorship. We can raise this issue when we are able to facilitate and overcome our severe problem and get strength in socio-economic and political axis.
    Firezer Nega(US)

  31. I do not see the point why we strive thus far .. let’s not be emotional and ask our self what is the benefit we get after the return of that rock hewn? To me let the Italian keep that instead we should deal with Italy to build Schools, Hospitals and other basic infrastructural facilities .We should be able to identify and prioritize our needs.It is obvious that history is the witness for the properitorship. We can raise this issue when we are able to facilitate and overcome our severe problem and get strength in socio-economic and political axis.Firezer Nega(US)

  32. HI FIREZER NEGA;
    WHAT YOU ARE TERLLING ME IS RIGHT ON THE WRONG SIDE. WE CAN BUILD SCHOOLS AND OTHER INFRASTRACTURES WHEN WE GET GOOD GOVERNMENT. I THINK THE TIME IS COMING FOR THIS.
    PLEASE, DON’T EXPECT SOMETHING GOOD FROM THIS ITALIANS. THEY ARE NOT GOOD FOR US. THEY ARE STILL OUR ENEMY. THEY ARE ALL THE TIME HELPING OUR ENEMIES.
    WE DON’T NEED THEM AT ALL. THEY BETTER SPENT THIER MONEY DEVELOPING THIER SOUTHER PART OF THIER COUNTY.
    THE OBLISK IS OUR IDENTITY. WHAT WE ARE IS WRITTEN ON THE ROCK. THAT IS ONLY OURS, NO FOR THEM AT ALL!
    WHAT WE NEED IS NOT THIER HELP BUT CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT!!!WE HAVE EVERYTHING SO THAT WE CAN CHANGE OURSELVES.

    GLORIOUS ETHIOPIA WILL REVEAL SOON!!!!!!!!!!

    ethiomt@yahoo.com

  33. HI FIREZER NEGA;
    WHAT YOU ARE TERLLING ME IS RIGHT ON THE WRONG SIDE. WE CAN BUILD SCHOOLS AND OTHER INFRASTRACTURES WHEN WE GET GOOD GOVERNMENT. I THINK THE TIME IS COMING FOR THIS.
    PLEASE, DON’T EXPECT SOMETHING GOOD FROM THIS ITALIANS. THEY ARE NOT GOOD FOR US. THEY ARE STILL OUR ENEMY. THEY ARE ALL THE TIME HELPING OUR ENEMIES.
    WE DON’T NEED THEM AT ALL. THEY BETTER SPENT THIER MONEY DEVELOPING THIER SOUTHER PART OF THIER COUNTY.
    THE OBLISK IS OUR IDENTITY. WHAT WE ARE IS WRITTEN ON THE ROCK. THAT IS ONLY OURS, NO FOR THEM AT ALL!
    WHAT WE NEED IS NOT THIER HELP BUT CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT!!!WE HAVE EVERYTHING SO THAT WE CAN CHANGE OURSELVES.

    GLORIOUS ETHIOPIA WILL REVEAL SOON!!!!!!!!!!

    ethiomt@yahoo.com

  34. You should thank every italian you meet because we gave us food and school and hospitals. Shame on you .

  35. I am a more practical person, as such what I proposed is in line with what is applicable and beneficial to Ethiopia.
    I still think that Ethiopia would be served better if we including myself, concentrate on ways that will take us out of the quagmire that we are in to be able to feed ourselves, build self confidence, and build trust amongst ourselves.
    I don?t care about the location of a piece of stone with no intrinsic value. I think we should get off the emotional wagon and put things into perspective. What will Ethiopia get by erecting a piece of stone in the middle of nowhere.
    Believe in me the only way to get Ethiopia in its place of prominence is not getting a stone be transported from Italy, but in being able to feed itself, work towards of stability, self sufficiency, and earn respect through hard work.
    If I have offended you I apologies, it is just what I feel, which might be different from the way you feel. However we both express our ideas that may not have that much of an impact on what may happen on the ground. Lets learn how to be able to differ and be able to tolerate eachother.

  36. I am a more practical person, as such what I proposed is in line with what is applicable and beneficial to Ethiopia.
    I still think that Ethiopia would be served better if we including myself, concentrate on ways that will take us out of the quagmire that we are in to be able to feed ourselves, build self confidence, and build trust amongst ourselves.
    I don?t care about the location of a piece of stone with no intrinsic value. I think we should get off the emotional wagon and put things into perspective. What will Ethiopia get by erecting a piece of stone in the middle of nowhere.
    Believe in me the only way to get Ethiopia in its place of prominence is not getting a stone be transported from Italy, but in being able to feed itself, work towards of stability, self sufficiency, and earn respect through hard work.
    If I have offended you I apologies, it is just what I feel, which might be different from the way you feel. However we both express our ideas that may not have that much of an impact on what may happen on the ground. Lets learn how to be able to differ and be able to tolerate eachother.

  37. I am a more practical person, as such what I proposed is in line with what is applicable and beneficial to Ethiopia.
    I still think that Ethiopia would be served better if we including myself, concentrate on ways that will take us out of the quagmire that we are in to be able to feed ourselves, build self confidence, and build trust amongst ourselves.
    I don?t care about the location of a piece of stone with no intrinsic value. I think we should get off the emotional wagon and put things into perspective. What will Ethiopia get by erecting a piece of stone in the middle of nowhere.
    Believe in me the only way to get Ethiopia in its place of prominence is not getting a stone be transported from Italy, but in being able to feed itself, work towards of stability, self sufficiency, and earn respect through hard work.
    If I have offended you I apologies, it is just what I feel, which might be different from the way you feel. However we both express our ideas that may not have that much of an impact on what may happen on the ground. Lets learn how to be able to differ and be able to tolerate eachother.

  38. I am a more practical person, as such what I proposed is in line with what is applicable and beneficial to Ethiopia.
    I still think that Ethiopia would be served better if we including myself, concentrate on ways that will take us out of the quagmire that we are in to be able to feed ourselves, build self confidence, and build trust amongst ourselves.
    I don?t care about the location of a piece of stone with no intrinsic value. I think we should get off the emotional wagon and put things into perspective. What will Ethiopia get by erecting a piece of stone in the middle of nowhere.
    Believe in me the only way to get Ethiopia in its place of prominence is not getting a stone be transported from Italy, but in being able to feed itself, work towards of stability, self sufficiency, and earn respect through hard work.
    If I have offended you I apologies, it is just what I feel, which might be different from the way you feel. However we both express our ideas that may not have that much of an impact on what may happen on the ground. Lets learn how to be able to differ and be able to tolerate eachother.

  39. I am a more practical person, as such what I proposed is in line with what is applicable and beneficial to Ethiopia.
    I still think that Ethiopia would be served better if we including myself, concentrate on ways that will take us out of the quagmire that we are in to be able to feed ourselves, build self confidence, and build trust amongst ourselves.
    I don?t care about the location of a piece of stone with no intrinsic value. I think we should get off the emotional wagon and put things into perspective. What will Ethiopia get by erecting a piece of stone in the middle of nowhere.
    Believe in me the only way to get Ethiopia in its place of prominence is not getting a stone be transported from Italy, but in being able to feed itself, work towards of stability, self sufficiency, and earn respect through hard work.
    If I have offended you I apologies, it is just what I feel, which might be different from the way you feel. However we both express our ideas that may not have that much of an impact on what may happen on the ground. Lets learn how to be able to differ and be able to tolerate eachother.

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