Bath Spa University recently welcomed Her Imperial Highness Princess Esther Selassie Antohin, the great-granddaughter of the former Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie I, to its Newton Park campus.
Rebecca di Corpo, Professor John Strachan, Her Imperial Highness Princess Esther Selassie Antohin,
and Professor Ian Gadd | Photo © Bath Spa University
The visit recognised the university’s long-standing partnership with Fairfield House.
The house served as the residence for the emperor when he lived in exile in Bath from 1936 to 1941 during the time when his country was occupied by Fascist Italy.
Earlier this month, Princess Esther, who is also Director of the Board of Bath’s Fairfield House CIC, retraced her great-grandfather’s footsteps as she toured the campus and visited its historic Italian Gardens, just as the emperor did during his visit in 1954.
In 1958, after his return to Ethiopia, Haile Selassie gifted Fairfield House to the City of Bath with the intention that it be used as a residence for the elderly.
He was also presented with the Freedom of the City, an honour bestowed on a municipality’s valuable members of the community, dignitaries or celebrities.
Today, Fairfield House remains a significant part of Bath’s history, and as an important cultural partner of Bath Spa University, brings together students, staff and the community to offer mutual opportunities.
Speaking on the importance of her visit, Princess Esther said: “This is a special day. The event here in 1954 was a momentous occasion for the Emperor in a visit to a city close to his heart.
“When he gifted the house, in the manner he wanted it to be used for, it was a statement of his gratitude to the people of Bath who kept his spirits up during very difficult times.
“For me it is very special to be here years later, to be paying my own tribute to that relationship.”
Princess Esther currently resides in Maine, USA and pays regular visits to Bath’s Fairfield House as part of her duties as Chair of the organisation.
She is also the Founder and Executive Director of Heritage Watch Ethiopia, a charity and resource centre sponsored by Bath Spa University that helps Ethiopians, and young people in particular, to recognise the value of protecting and promoting heritage.
Her goal is to be part of work that strengthens and promotes Ethiopian cultural heritage in Ethiopia, in the continent of Africa, as well as globally.
During her visit to Newton Park Campus, Princess Esther met with Bath Spa University representatives Professor John Strachan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise, Professor Ian Gadd, Academic Director of the Global Academy of Liberal Arts (GALA), and Rebecca di Corpo, External Affairs.
Professor Strachan added: “It was an honour to welcome Princess Esther to Bath Spa University for her first visit, and to show her the grounds that her great-grandfather explored during his time here.
“We look forward to continuing to build upon Bath Spa’s strong partnership with both Fairfield House and Heritage Watch Ethiopia for many more years to come.”
