NEWS

Rare book goes astray in Salonica

A rare book of lithographs from the late 19th century disappeared from Thessaloniki’s Aristotle University while part of it was occupied by activists protesting against the EU summit last month. The book was locked in an ostensibly secure part of the Archaeology Department’s library in the School of Philosophy, along with some 300 other rare books, documents and archives. Members of the so-called Black Block of anti-globalization activists squatted in the building for four days, ending on June 22 when protesters clashed with police in the city. Officials had said they removed precious items and equipment from the university before the protesters arrived. The missing book is a German-language edition of Russian archaeologist N.P. Kontakov’s «History and Treasures of Byzantine Enamelwork.» It contains rare lithographs and 200 copies were printed in Frankfurt in 1892. An inventory of about 35,000 books is continuing. Archaeology Department head Theoharis Pazaris said yesterday that Interpol, libraries, and auction houses have been notified.

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