The Charity

The Ethiopian Heritage Fund was started August 2005. Its purpose, working together with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido church, is to aid the conservation of relics and to provide advice and education on their maintenance. Its other stated aim is to raise awareness of these beautiful objects within Ethiopia and internationally thereby increasing tourism to rural areas. The Fund is entirely financed by donations and by those involved giving their expertise to the projects.

Ethiopia and the church

Perched in the rugged highlands on the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia retains a unique position as an ancient Christian civilization. The history of artistic production in Ethiopia spans over 2000 years. Artists and architects have produced a stunning array of religious artefacts: processional crosses, illuminated manuscripts, painted wooden icons and wall paintings.

On the way to Abba Garima
On the way to Abba Garima

These holy treasures have a very special purpose in the Divine Worship service of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido church. They are therefore mainly cared for by monks and priests and stored in church treasuries often in remote districts. The dry climate of the mountains has been a great aid to maintaining the condition of the artefacts but inevitably many of them now need restoring in order to save them for future generations.

Recent work of the charity is reported on the Current and Completed Projects pages and you can view our latest Newsletter here.

 
Hayq Icon after cleaning

The 15th century masterpiece, the Icon of Mary was cleaned and repaired

After the re-consecration
and then re-consecrated
The Abuna Garima Gospels

The Abuna Garima Gospels. 6th century manuscripts. Page edging conserved and bindings renewed

The June 2010 edition of The Arts Newspaper includes an article by Martin Bailey about the conserving of the Gospels. Read the article.

Designer Bookbinders raise funds

35 Fellows and Licentiates of the Designer Bookbinders have each designed and made a book board on the theme of 'Africa'. These will be on display at the Antiquarian Booksellers fair in June 2011. A large part of the proceeds of the sale will be donated to the Ethiopian Heritage Fund.

Our thanks to Lester Capon who, as the president of the Designer Bookbinders, instigated the project.