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HOME > BUSINESS > TASOULA HADJITOFI RECRUITS STUDENTS TO PROTECT CULTURAL HERITAGE

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Tasoula Hadjitofi Recruits Students To Protect Cultural Heritage

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With attacks on the world’s cultural heritage continuing to escalate, Walk of Truth Founder Tasoula Hadjitofi inspired students from the Fares Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies at Tufts University and the Center for European Studies at Harvard University to join her in the battle to protect it. The presentation was hosted by Elizabeth Prodromou, Faculty in the Fares Center, Fletcher School of Diplomacy, Nadim Shehadi, the Director of the Issam Fares Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies, and Payam Mohseni Fellow for Iran Studies at the Harvard Kennedy School on February 11, 2016. Hadjitofi’s Walk of Truth, a non-governmental organisation that engages the general public in the struggle against the destruction of cultural heritage, introduced its latest initiative Culture Crime Watchers Worldwide, a digital platform for anonymously reporting crimes against cultural heritage. With more illicit trading taking place online than ever before, Hadjitofi rallied audience members to see how they could join her peaceful revolution to stop the destruction and art trafficking of cultural heritage from the comfort and safety of their living rooms. “My army of peaceful cultural warriors do not use violence and guns but apps and iPads as their weaponry,” said Hadjitofi. Addressing students, academics, politicians and leaders in the field, Hadjitofi, a refugee from Famagusta Cyprus, described how her experience of war as a child fuelled her work as a cultural advocate and inspired the creation of Walk of Truth. “I am a negotiator of Peace, and cultural heritage is my currency,” began Hadjitofi, affirming that the protection of cultural heritage and the recovery and repatriation of looted artefacts can rebuild trust and sustain the ideals of mutual respect and religious freedom. Walk of Truth campaigns against the threats to the world’s cultural heritage posed by violence and crime, and promotes respectful, intelligent dialogue about the links between human security, cultural heritage, and religious freedom. “We affirm the principle that without respect for the culture and religion of others, there can be no real peace,” said Hadjitofi. The destruction and looting of cultural heritage are not only ideological acts but a profitable business yielding billions of dollars, some of which fund terrorist organisations. Hadjitofi called for better coordination of laws and law enforcement, seeking closer cooperation with the art trade. She also shared her idea for the creation of a “Museum of Disputed Arts,” a temporary home for looted arts to be stored until disputes are settled between countries or individuals. In a recent article that quoted Syrian Antiquities Chief Maamoun Abdulkarim, over 2,000-looted objects from archaeological sites in Palmyra and Mari, were seized as they crossed the border into Turkey. Hadjitofi believes that Turkey’s refusal to return these

artifacts to Syria or publish an inventory of what they hold is the perfect illustration of why a Museum for Disputed arts is needed. Her idea to build a “Museum of Disputed Arts,” was recently endorsed by Mayor Boris Johnson who wants her vision of such to have its home in London. Hadjitofi urged everyone to take a stance against the systematic cleansing of culture. Describing how Culture Crime Watchers Worldwide empowers refugees, the diaspora and the general public with a chance to be indispensable contributors in the fight against art trafficking, she stated how the 52 million refugees around the world are an untapped resource in this fight. By engaging and empowering these individuals, along with the average citizen, we can help to restore cultural heritage, rebuild identity and foster peace.