The icon hunter : a refugee's quest to reclaim her nation's stolen heritage

One woman’s pursuit of justice leads her on a riveting adventure into the world of art trafficking. In this powerful memoir, Tasoula Hadjitofi reveals her perilous journey orchestrating “The Munich Case”—one of the largest European art trafficking stings since WWII. With the Bavarian police in place, the Cypriots on their way, seventy under-cover agents bust into the Munich apartment of a notorious Turkish smuggler suspected of holding looted antiquities. Tasoula places everything on the line to repatriate her country’s sacred treasures, unaware that treachery lies in the shadow of her success. The Icon Hunter is a story torn from the pages of Tasoula's life as she and her Greek Cypriot family lose everything during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Hundreds of ancient Cypriot churches are destroyed, their contents looted and all signs of her Greek Cypriot culture erased as if it never existed. As a refugee, she wants justice. And then fate intervenes in the form of an archbishop and a dubious art dealer in search of redemption. Even as unspeakable personal tragedy strikes, she never gives up her search knowing the special place these antiquities hold in the hearts of Orthodox Christians. These icons are not just masterpieces—they are artistic manifestations of faith and a gate-way to the divine. Using family and faith as her touchstones, Tasoula takes on these “merchants of God” as she navigates the underworld of art trafficking. Tasoula believes this to be her calling, and the Archbishop of Cyprus entrusts her—an ordinary woman, wife, and mother—with the mission. In order to succeed, however, she must place her trust in an art dealer known for his double-dealing. Inspiring and empowering, The Icon Hunter is a gripping story by a remarkable woman that will captivate readers long after the nal page. Tasoula Hadjitofi was only a child when her homeland, Cyprus, was invaded. As bombs fell and soldiers marched through the streets, her mother stood guard, reminding her children to not be afraid?not of the bombs or anything else that may follow. They would always have their family and their faith. Soon thereafter, Tasoula found herself homeless and nation-less. A refugee. Decades later, she's a successful entrepreneur and the Honorary Consul of Cyprus in The Netherlands.But family and faithhave remained her touchstones?and she'snever lost her longing for "home" or for the gorgeous Cypriot churches and their icons. One day, adubiousart dealer offers her a chance to buy stolen sacred artifacts looted from Cyprusduring the war. Icons hold a special place in the hearts of Orthodox Christians.They are not just masterpieces?they are artistic manifestations of faith and a gateway to the divine. Outraged, Tasoula sets out on a quest to repatriate these artifacts. An immenselylegally challenging and expensive undertaking, as provenance of icons are and other holy artifacts are easily manipulated by corrupt dealers and greedy auction houses. Taking on these "merchants ofGod" will test Tasoula's fortitude and threaten her safety, yet shefeels this mission is her calling. In this book, she reveals her perilous road to The Munich Case?the largest art trafficking sting in European historysince WWII?which is filled with mind games, subterfuge, global politics, and asshadyfigure named Van Rijn, whose motives are never entirely clear... By turns heart-pounding and inspiring, The Icon Hunter is a powerful and gripping story that will resonate long after the final page. Tasoula Hadjitofi was only a child when her homeland, Cyprus, was invaded. As bombs fell and soldiers marched through the streets, her mother stood guard, reminding her children to not be afraid—not of the bombs or anything else that may follow. They would always have their family and their faith. Soon thereafter, Tasoula found herself homeless and nation-less. A refugee. Decades later, she's a successful entrepreneur and the honorary Cypriot consul to The Netherlands. But family and faith remained her touchstones—and she never lost her longing for "home." She often thought of the gorgeous Cypriot churches and their icons. One day, an art dealer offers her a chance to buy Cyprian icons stolen during the war. Icons hold a special place in the hearts of many Greek Cypriots. They are not just masterpieces—they are artistic manifestations of faith and a gateway to the divine.Outraged, Tasoula sets out on a quest to repatriate these artifacts. An immensely difficult task as icons often lack provenance in the eyes of the law. But she is determined. Yet the road to “The Munich Case”—the largest art trafficking sting in European history—is filled with mind games, subterfuge, global politics, and a shady figure named Van Rinj, whose motives are never entirely clear... In this powerful memoir, Tasoula Hadjitofi reveals her perilous journey orchestrating "The Munich Case"--one of the largest European art trafficking stings since World War II. Tasoula and her Greek Cypriot family lost everything during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Hundreds of ancient Cypriot churches were destroyed, their contents looted, and all signs of her Greek Cypriot culture erased. As a refugee, she wants justice. Then fate intervenes in the form of an archbishop and a dubious art dealer in search of redemption. Even as unspeakable personal tragedy strikes, she never gives up her search knowing the special place these antiquities hold in the hearts of Orthodox Christians. These icons are not just masterpieces--they are artistic manifestations of faith and a gateway to the divine. As she navigates through the underworld of art trafficking, Tasoula believes this to be her calling, and the Archbishop of Cyprus entrusts her---an ordinary woman, wife, and mother--with the mission. In order to succeed, however, she must place her trust in an art dealer known for his double-dealing. Tasoula places everything on the line to repatriate her country's sacred treasures, unaware that treachery lies in the shadow of her success.--Adapted from jacket Tasoula Hadjitofi was only a child when her homeland, Cyprus, was invaded. As bombs fell and soldiers marched through the streets, her mother stood guard, reminding her children to not be afraid?not of the bombs or anything else that may follow. They would always have their family and their faith. Soon thereafter, Tasoula found herself homeless and nation-less. A refugee. Decades later, she's a successful entrepreneur and the Honorary Consul of Cyprus in The Netherlands . Tasoula sets out on a quest to repatriate these artifacts. An immensely legally challenging and expensive undertaking, as provenance of icons are and other holy artifacts are easily manipulated by corrupt dealers and greedy auction houses. Taking on these "merchants of God" will test Tasoula's fortitude and threaten her safety, yet she feels this mission is her calling. In this book, she reveals her perilous road to ?The Munich Case?, the largest art trafficking sting in European history since WWII, which is filled with mind games, subterfuge, global politics, and as shady figure named Van Rijn, whose motives are never entirely clear.. In This Powerful Memoir, Tasoula Hadjitofi Reveals Her Perilous Journey Orchestrating 'the Munich Case'―one Of The Largest European Art Trafficking Stings Since Wwii. With The Bavarian Police In Place, The Cypriots On Their Way, Seventy Under-cover Agents Bust Into The Munich Apartment Of A Notorious Turkish Smuggler Suspected Of Holding Looted Antiquities. Tasoula Places Everything On The Line To Repatriate Her Country's Sacred Treasures, Unaware That Treachery Lies In The Shadow Of Her Success. Tasoula Hadjitofi With Kathy Barrett. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 347-355).