Source: AP

World leaders attending the Group of Eight summit opening Wednesdayin Italy will each be presented with a gift from the past and one forthe future.

Handmade books portraying works by Neoclassical sculptor AntonioCanova, as well as gold coins representing an imaginary future worldcurrency will be given to the participants at the opening of thethree-day summit.

There are 10 copies of the book, commissioned by Italy's PremierSilvio Berlusconi from the Bologna-based art publishing houseFondazione Marilena Ferrari, each with a personalized dedication forthe leader who receives it.

The 28-inch by 17.5-inch (71-centimeter by 44.5-centimeter) Canovabooks were crafted at no cost by 23 Italian craftsmen using traditionaltechniques, the publishing house said. Each weighs 53 pounds (24kilograms).

The books' covers are decorated with white marble bas-reliefs andthe volumes are bound with silk and gold thread. They include etchingsand dozens of black and white photographs of Canova's artworks,including artistic close-ups of his statues.

The coins, made by Belgian Luc Luycx, who designed one side of theEuro coins, are called "eurodollars," in a symbolic call for a commoncurrency to unite Europe and the United States.

They have a value of euro2,800 ($3,900) and were produced by theUnited Future World Currency, a group pushing the idea of a globalcurrency.

The works will go to the leaders of the Group of Eightindustrialized countries as well as to the President of the EuropeanCouncil Fredrik Reinfeldt and EU Commission President Jose ManuelBarroso. The Group of Eight is Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan,Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The summit is held in the central Italian city of L'Aquila, whichwas struck by a powerful earthquake in April that killed nearly 300people.