The spirit of dear old Ioulia Piki, the last occupant of the famous dragoman Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios, will live forever in the Dragoman’s house.
Sitting on her rocking chair at the kiosk, she will watch the people go by in the street, seeing while not being seen. She will speak of the divan, where the Dragoman received his guests, the room so meticulously looked after by her. She will talk of the secret passage which led from the house to outside the walls of Nicosia, so that the Dragoman may escape if necessary. She will show the silver coffee set presented to her ancestor Maroudia by Lady Hester Stanhope, and she will wait for the parade of the 25 March to throw rose petals to the flag.
She is there, in all the rooms, in every corner, welcoming guests and speaking of the great family.
© Costas and Rita Severis Foundation
The ‘Did You Know’ series is made possible with the support of OPAP (Cyprus).
