CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO: WALK OF TRUTH
1Documents 2.2.48.41 (in German), 2.2.48. 55 (in English) TH Archive—Munich court rules Artifacts return to Cyprus 9/2010.
2Documents 2.2.48.41 (in German) and 2.2.48.42 (in Greek) documents 2.2.48.43–2.2.48.45, 2.2.48.47–2.2.48.66 (in Greek, Dutch, German, English). TH Archive.
3Documents 2.2.48.74 (in Dutch), 2.2.48.77 (in English), TH Archive.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The special relationship that motivated me throughout the long and arduous journey of combating art trafficking was the one that I enjoyed with the late spiritual leader of Cyprus, His Beatitude, Archbishop Chrysostomos I, of the Autocephalous Church of Cyprus, whom I loved, respected and lost too early. Without his unconditional trust there would be no Icon Hunter.
To my husband Michael Hadjitofi and my three treasures—Andreas, Sophia, and Marina—your love is my inspiration. And to my butterfly Anastasia who resides in heaven, I carry you in my heart.
To my siblings Miriam, Yiola, and Andreas, their husbands, wives and children, I hope that one day you understand how deeply I love you. Savas and Flora Kyriacou—you are a brother and sister to me.
To the men, women, and children who lost their lives during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and to their families who continue to mourn them, my heart is with you.
To the people of Cyprus who gave me my best memories of youth.
And to the people of The Netherlands who embraced me as one of their own.
To Michel Van Rijn, who was the first to make me aware of the cultural cleansing that took place in the occupied area of Cyprus. Thank you for sharing your knowledge about art traffickers and the world of illicit trade which I now dedicate my life to stopping.
In 2012 one hundred people from around the world were invited to attend the first “Spirit of Humanity” conference held in Reykjavik. Kathy Barrett was one of the invitees, as was I. We thank the sponsors of that conference for bringing us together as that meeting planted the seeds for our friendship and my book to be born. Kathy became a true soul mate during this journey.
To the following people who have worked tirelessly to help make this book a reality . . .
Bishop Vasilios now Metropolitan of Constantia and Famagusta, who stood by me and protected me using his charismatic brand of diplomacy.
Metropolitan Timotheos, of Vostra, Representative of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Cyprus, for sharing his insights and experiences.
Judge Yiorgos Pikis, who people with values revere and those who lost them fear.
Elena Tsingki, for her dedicated efforts in research and documentation.
Marina Schiza, who took the journey with me all the way and is still dedicated to the cause.
Bruce Clark, who challenged my thinking with his wealth of knowledge. He is a friend and a brother to me who believed in my story from the day we met.
Thomas Kline, for his legal expertise and whose connections made this book possible.
Rob Polak, who has the gift of making complex legal arguments understood by all.
Dr. Willy Bruggeman who raised my esteem and respect for law enforcement and kept me safe.
Andy Barrett, whose deeds went beyond the call of duty, especially as I commandeered the lion’s share of Kathy’s time.
Alexandra Rodrigues, who placed my work above herself and her family.
Mahi Solomou and Dionisis Dionisiou, who utilized every opportunity to promote my work.
Television stars Andreas Georgiou & Koulis Nikolaou and their Brousko team for taking me to Famagusta in 2013.
Pim Dieben, for his friendship and his pictures of Munich, which to-date are used by Cypriots worldwide.
Jessica Case, my publisher, who recognized the value of my story.
Stephanie Abou, my agent, whose guidance helped this book to be born into the world.
David Davoli, my entertainment lawyer for his legal guidance.
Jan Fred van Wijnen, for exposing the issue of art trafficking in the 90’s.
Demetrakis Demitriades for safeguarding me like an icon whenever I was in Cyprus.
Nick Kounoupias, for his legal support and friendship.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who insisted that my story was the one people needed to hear and who encouraged me to write it.
Tex Gunning, who took me under his wing and shared the importance of self-awareness and the power of silence at the Call of the Time in Oxford.
United Kingdom MP David Burrowes and Baroness Berridge of the Vale of Catmose, for bringing the issue of art trafficking to the House of Lords and House of Commons.
Research/Translations/Visuals
David Hands
Craig Johnson
Myrto Aristidou
Laoura-Maria Fotiou
Katerina Karatzia
Koula Charalambous
Annebeth Rosenboom
Gerda Frankenhuis
Catherine Hickley
Dionysis Alexiou
Countless people have supported my work throughout the years. Space restrictions prohibit me from crediting them here, but their names are acknowledged at www.walkoftruth.org. Without their efforts none of this would be possible.
Thank you to the volunteers and friends of Walk Of Truth, and Cultural Crime Watchers worldwide.
. . . And to the media who helped me to find my voice.
Attempts were made to interview those named in the book and the overwhelming majority complied.
THE ICON HUNTER
Pegasus Books Ltd.
148 W 37th Street, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2017 by Tasoula Hadjitofi
First Pegasus Books edition April 2017
Interior design by Maria Fernandez
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher, except by reviewers who may quote brief excerpts in connection with a review in a newspaper, magazine, or electronic publication; nor may any part of this book be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or other, without written permission from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
ISBN: 978-1-68177-323-0
ISBN: 978-1-68177-381-0 (e-book)
Distributed by W. W. Norton & Company
The Icon Hunter Page 39