Freie Universität Berlin Returns 500 Books from Belarus Libraries to Republic of Belarus
Botanical Literature Reached Berlin Illegally in 1943
№ 144/2010 from May 19, 2010
The Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum of Freie Universität have now returned 500 books to the Republic of Belarus. The volumes are from academic libraries in Belarus and came illegally to Berlin during World War II. They are mainly botany books that were published between 1824 and 1940 in various European countries. The return follows the ethical guidelines of the International Council of Museums (ICOM).
The provenance of the books is clear from the inventory stamps of the Belarusian libraries. The stamps of the library of the Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem were deleted before being returned.
For further information, please contact:
- Prof. Dr. Hans-Walter Lack, Director, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem, Freie Universität Berlin, Tel.: +49 80)30 / 838 50136; Email: h.w.lack@bgbm.org
Images:
- Photos in print quality may be obtained from the Office of News and Public Affairs, Freie Universität Berlin, Email: kommunikationsstelle@fu-berlin.de Tel.: +49 (0)30 / 838-73180