A symposium was recently held in Rome to discuss whether Hanji, traditional mulberry paper, can be used to restore ancient Italian documents.

At the conference on Hanji and the restoration of cultural heritage items on October 15, a researcher from the Natural Research Institute of the Cultural Heritage (NRICH), part of the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA), and a forest physiognomy professor from Kookmin University, explained the characteristics of traditional mulberry paper and promoted its use in restoring and preserving ancient documents.



European participants in the symposium showed great interest in the potential uses of Hanji in restoring and preserving old documents and other paper-made items of cultural heritage.

As part of the conference, Italy's Central Institute for the Restoration and Preservation of Archival and Library Heritage (ICRCPAL) intends to study whether Hanji is suitable to restore old paintings and documents. Hanji has been used to restore and preserve documentary heritage in Korea and the ICRCPAL is studying whether it is also suitable for ancient Italian documents. The NRICH provided three types of Hanji, including some made in Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang Province), for the ICRCPAL's consideration.

Hanji is believed to be a suitable material to restore and preserve ancient European documents, many of which were made of parchment. If the results of the study turn out to be positive, Hanji is expected to be used for the restoration and conservation of ancient European paintings and documents.



The CHA and the General Secretariat of the Italian Ministry of Heritage and Cultural Activities signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on culture and heritage. The two sides will strengthen their cooperation with UNESCO's intangible heritage program and between museums and cultural heritage research institutions in the two nations.

By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos courtesy of the CHA
jun2@korea.kr