ADDIS ABABA– The Heritage Research and Conservation Authority announced that preparation is well underway to hire a contractor for the restoration of Axum obelisk. Hilu Zeleke, Heritage Research, and Protection Director recently told the Amharic Daily Addis-Zemen that preparation is well underway to officially invite the contractors for the restoration with the involvement of relevant consultancy firms.
Recalling that an experienced Italian based company- Latanziwhich formerly erected the Axum obelisk upon its return from Italy, consultancy firms recommended the company considering its reach experience in heritage restorations.
According to him, as per the strategies of the Ministry of Finance, the budget allocated for the project will be released in different phases within the framework of the capital budget, and heritage conservation and protection projects. In addition, Italian Prime Minister Joseph Conte pledged to assist the effort made to restore the Axum Obelisk.
Though the study conducted to restore the 24 meter-long Axum obelisk was finalized a year ago, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) took time to evaluate and provide recommendations which resulted in the project delay.
One of the seven obelisks which had been erected in Axum during the times of Axumite Emperors in the mid-fourth century A.D., the 78-foot-tall monument was taken by the occupying Italian army and shipped to Rome in 1937 to celebrate Mussolini’s fifteenth year of power.
The Ethiopian Herald, May 16/2019
BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
