Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1962, Korea and Iran have maintained a cooperative partnership, both economically and culturally. The bilateral ties have deepened over the years, through to this day, to such a degree that the two countries built Tehran Boulevard through the heart of southern Seoul, and Seoul Boulevard was built in Tehran in 1977.

The Seoul-Tehran relationship dates back to the ancient times. The Persian epic poem “Kush Nama" (쿠쉬나메) tells the story of a destined encounter between a Persian prince and a princess from ancient Silla (57 B.C.-A.D. 935), more than 1,300 years ago. In the epic, written between 501 and 504 and then updated between 1108 and 1111, a Persian prince travels through China to arrive in Silla sometime after the Persian empire ended. The prince fell in love with a Silla princess, got married to her, and returned to his homeland, with the goal in mind of restoring the empire.



The two countries will now shed new light on their millennium-long relationship by hosting a special exhibition. The "Korea and Iran, Special Relations Over 1,300 Years” exhibition will soon kick off in both capitals. The Teheran exhibition opened on Sept. 17, while the Seoul exhibition is set to welcome visitors at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History on Sept. 28.

The co-exhibition makes public about 140 photographs taken by Yonhap, a Korean news agency, and by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Among the images featured in the exhibition are relics from the Silla Kingdom inspired by Persian art and traditions, as well as images that show traditions and daily lives in both Korea and Iran.

There are pictures that show historic remains excavated from the ancient Silla capital of Seorabeol, today’s Gyeongju in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, and from Isfahan, one of Iran’s historic cities. Others walk viewers through the process by which the two countries consolidated such sound ties across politics, business, the arts and sports since the 1962 establishment of their bilateral relationship.



One of the most intriguing photos shows a scene from a traditional market in Tehran, where people are often wowed by the sight of its mosque-like rounded ceiling. There is a magnificent night view of the small village of Uraman on the steep mountainside in Kordistan Province, northwestern Iran. There are photos of villagers holding a traditional wrestling match from the Khorasan region in northeastern Iran. There's a photo of Imam Square in the historic city of Isfahan. All of these give exhibition-goers a vivid look into the country’s traditions, picturesque natural beauty and day-to-day life.



There are also photos from Korea. One picture shows the Cheomseongdae Observatory (첨성대) in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, a symbol of ancient Silla's mastery of the night skies and of ancient technology. There is a picture of a 911 rescue team on its way to Iran to help with disaster relief after an earthquake in northeastern Iran in December 2003. There's a photo of two Iranian athletes wearing their headscarves sipping traditional Korean tea during the 2007 Archery World Cup in Ulsan.

“Korea and Iran have retained deep, sound ties over the years,” said a representative from the IRNA. “This co-exhibition is significant in that it opens a new chapter, for more cooperation between our two countries.”

The exhibition continues until Oct. 4 in Tehran and until Oct. 23 in Seoul.



By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: National Museum of Korean Contemporary History
jiae5853@korea.kr