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04-02-2008 17:33 Korea to Exhibit `Glory of Persia'

A gold rhyton in the shape of a winged lion, which was made in 500-400 B.C. in Hamadan, Persia. By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter ``In Persia first arises that light which shines itself and illuminates what is around...The principle of development begins with the history of Persia; this constitutes therefore the beginning of history,'' German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel once wrote about the role of Persia in history, considering ancient Persians ``the first historic people.'' ``Glory of Persia,'' an exhibition showing the essence of Persian culture, history and civilization, will finally make its way to Seoul and Daegu. The National Museum of Korea will display 204 unique historical relics from 5000 B.C. to the end of the Sassanid dynastic era in 651 A.D. from April 22 to Aug. 31. After the Seoul exhibit, it will go to the Daegu National Museum from Sept. 29 to Dec. 21. The artifacts, titled ``Glory of Persia,'' have been selected from five Iranian national museums such as Reza Abbasi, Azerbaijan, Persepolis, and Iran's National Museum. ``It is a good opportunity to see the Persian artifacts borrowed from the five Iranian national museums in Korea as part of efforts to strengthen cultural ties with Iran,'' Kang Sung-il, director general of the Education and Culture Cooperation Bureau of the museum, said in a press conference Tuesday. He said the exhibit will include performances, academic seminars and festivals related to Iranian culture. A gold bracelet with lion’s-head terminals, which was made in 800-700 B.C. in Ziwiye, Kurdistan, Persia. / Courtesy of National Museum of Korea The museum has been preparing for the exhibition over the last three years. ``Many Iranian people are interested in Korean culture as `Jewel in the Palace,' a hit Korean drama, recently hit Iranian airwaves and garnered huge ratings. It is very encouraging for cultural ties between the two nations,'' Kang added. The exhibit also includes 18 artifacts excavated in Gyeongju, the capital of the Silla Kingdom (B.C. 57-A.D. 935), which traded with Persian merchants through the Silk Road. According to historic records, Koreans may have traded with them because some Persian and even Roman artifacts that had traveled the Silk Road have been excavated from Silla tombs. The exhibit will be on display in two halls. In the first, gold and silverware will be shown, along with other accessories under the title ``Persian Gold.'' Gold ware from Hamedan, including a rhyton in the shape of a winged lion from 500-400 B.C., a gold cup with lion heads from 1300-1200 B.C., a goblet decorated with animals from 1250-1150 B.C. and various seals that indicate social status and golden and silver coins created during the Achaemenid and Sassanid Dynasties will show the high-quality, sophisticated and delicate craftsmanship of Persia. In the second exhibit hall, there will be earthenware designed to store grain and Lorestan province bronze ware from ancient times to the Sassanid Dynasty. Bracelets, footwears, jug and bowls from Silla Kingdom will be on display. Visitors can see how the ancient kingdom exchanged culture with Persia. Aside from the exhibit, the museum will offer Iranian food and performances during the exhibit. The museum will provide audio guides to visitors and documents explaining the exhibit through video clips. The exhibit will open at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on April 22 and run until Aug. 31. The exhibit will be held at the National Museum of Daegu from Sept. 29 to Dec. 21. For more information, call (02) 2077-9263. chungay@koreatimes.co.kr