Editorial

60
Modern Greek Studies Yearbook (now in its
twentieth year), the Minnesota Mediterranean
and East European Monograph series (thirteen
volumes) and the Nostos Books in Modern
Greek History and Culture (24 volumes of
translated literature from Greece and Cyprus).
In his address at the launching event in Nicosia,
Prof. Stavrou emphasized the significance of
books like the one by Ms Jansen in making
the voice of Cyprus heard on the international
arena. The author, he said, succeeded in
universalizing a local problem by giving it a
proper and meaningful context. He then
extolled the engaging quality of the book, filled
with suspense and mystery, rarely expected on
such an important topic as culture looting.
On his part the Government Spokesman, Mr.
Chrysostomides, expressed the Government’s
determination not give up its struggle to protect
and recover its cultural heritage. He added
that the President is determined to exert all
necessary efforts and mobilize all available
means for this cause and all the appropriate
agencies of the government are engaged in this
campaign. Mr Chrysostomides further extolled
Michael Jansen’s contribution in this regard
by stating the problem clearly, by placing
the case of Cyprus in a broader context and
by reminding the world of the significance of
the cultural heritage of mankind. Mr. Chrysostomides
also praised Professor Stavrou’s contribution
as a scholar, editor and publisher
adding that this has been equally valuable.
"He has used a prominent academic forum at
the University of Minnesota to spread Ms
Jansen’s and other people’s passionate message
for the protection, preservation and respect
of our cultural heritage," Mr. Chrysostomides
concluded.
As it has been repeatedly pointed out, culture
looting is the second oldest profession in the
world. Following the 1974 Turkish invasion
of northern Cyprus, an incredible amount
of irreplaceable treasures from museums and
Frescoes from the12th century Church of Antiphonitis,
Kalograia, Kyrenia District as they
were found in Munich.
churches experienced this fate of looting
and found their way on the international black
market. Ms Jansen arrived on the divided
island in 1976 as a refugee from the civil
war in Lebanon. She soon became aware of
what was happening and the first manifestation
of her interest in the problem of cultural
heritage destruction was the article "Cyprus:
The Loss of a Culture Heritage" published in
the Modern Greek Studies Yearbook (Volume
2, 1986) at the University of Minnesota which
Professor Stavrou edits.
In her presentation of the book, Ms Jansen
13th century fresco of the Virgin between the
archangels Michael and Gabriel from the apse of
the Church of Ayios Themonianos. Today they are
exhibited in Houston.