TY - GEN A1 - Derillo, Eyob T1 - The British Library's collections of Ethiopian Manuscripts T2 - TK 6: Sammlungen, Repositorien, Retrodigitalisierung und Kulturgut(schutz)/ Schwieriges Erbe - Digital präsentiert (06.06.2024, 14:00 - 16:00, Saal E / 2. OG) N2 - As the curator of the Ethiopian collection at the British Library since 2017, I have spearheaded a sustained and long-term engagement with the Ethiopian government to enhance access to the Library's extensive collection of over 700 manuscripts, predominantly written in Ge’ez and dating from the mid-14th century onwards, with 349 of these originating from Maqdala. This collaborative effort has aimed to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Ethiopia's cultural and historical heritage. Notable milestones in this partnership include the hosting of a delegation from the Ethiopian Embassy at the opening reception for the African Scribes exhibition on February 5, 2018. During this event, the Ethiopian Ambassador, His Excellency Dr. Haile Michael, graced the occasion, underscoring the significance of the collaboration between the British Library and Ethiopia. Furthermore, on March 19, 2019, the British Library welcomed Her Excellency Dr. Hirut Kassaw Wondimu, the Ethiopian Minister of Culture and Tourism, for discussions in London. This visit marked an important milestone as part of a broader engagement with cultural institutions in the UK. During this visit, a momentous Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ethiopian National Archives and Library Agency and the British Library, laying the foundation for enhanced collaboration in research, capacity building, and knowledge exchange between the two institutions in the future. These initiatives reflect the ongoing commitment to strengthening ties between Ethiopia and the British Library, with a shared focus on preserving, promoting, and fostering greater access to Ethiopia's invaluable cultural and historical legacy. Y1 - 2024 ER -