This is not simply a collection of craftworks of the world. These are gifts received overseas during diplomatic summits conducted by former presidents, from Rhee Syngman, the first president, to Lee Myung-bak.
A special exhibition entitled “Sincerity and Regards From All Over the World” is currently being held from October 2 to November 2 at the Cheong Wa Dae Sanrangchae, a multi-purpose exhibition hall next to Cheong Wa Dae. These presents vary from traditional weapons, tea sets, dolls and sculptures, to animal ornaments, and they all hold special meaning.
(Left) An ornamental polar bear offered by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to President Lee Myung-bak in November 20010 during Harper's visit to Korea for the G20 Summit in Seoul is on display at the Cheong Wa Dae Sanrangchae from October 2 to November 2. (Center) A sculpture of an elephant inlaid with silver, given by former Indian President Abdul Kalam to President Roh Moo-hyun during Kalam's visit to Korea in February 2006, is also on display from October 2 to November 2. (Right) The ornamental pheasant offered by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to President Roh Moo-hyun in July 2004, is also on display at the Cheong Wa Dae Sanrangchae.
On display at the “Sincerity and Regards From All Over the World” exhibit are (left) a set of wine glasses given to President Lee Myung-bak by President Jacob Zuma of South Africa during his visit to Korea for the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit in March 2012. The jar and bowls decorated with a floral pattern (right) are also on display and were offered by former Russian President Boris Yeltsin to President Roh Tae-woo during Yeltsin's visit to Korea in November 1992.
A model of a Portuguese trade ship, given by a former prime minister of Portugal to President Chun Doo-hwan during his visit to Korea in June 1984, is on display at the “Sincerity and Regards From All Over the World” exhibit from October 2 to November 2.
The exhibition highlights nine gifts from among all the gifts on display to represent certain continents or topics, like "Europe" or "traditional weapons." It also features related photos and other records from the summits alongside the selected items. These nine items include a sculpture of an elephant inlaid with silver from former Indian President Abdul Kalam. He offered it to President Roh Moo-hyun during his Korea visit in February 2006. There is also a jar and a set of bowls decorated in a pink floral pattern which former Russian President Boris Yeltsin offered to President Roh Tae-woo during his visit to Korea in November 1992.
The jar and bowls from Yeltsin hold a particularly important meaning in the world of diplomacy. Yeltsin was the first Russian leader to be elected by popular vote. The two leaders signed the basic agreement on the relationship between Korea and Russia on the occasion of the Korea-Russia summit. In the case of the silver-inlaid elephant, elephants represent power, the royal family, dignity, patience, longevity and a happiness which can remove all obstacles.
Lee Jae-jun, director general of the presidential archives, emphasized the importance of the exhibition by saying, “The presents offered to former presidents are records that reflect their diplomatic activities and the summits which they attended, and show the friendship that exists between Korea and other countries.”
By Yoon Sojung
Photos: Jeon Han
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr
The hall inside the special exhibition “Sincerity and Regards From All Over the World,” currently being held at the Cheong Wa Dae Sanrangchae, features the scroll (left) that was offered by Taiwanese journalist Yu You Ren to President Yun Bo-seon.
The exhibition shows some of the presents received by foreign heads of states and other influential figures overseas. It includes photos, guest books and other related records of the Korean president's diplomatic activities and summits.
A gold Buddhist sculpture offered by the leader of the Nepali congress, Raj Joshi Nabindra, to President Kim Dae-jung during his visit to Korea in August 1998 is on display at the Cheong Wa Dae Sanrangchae from October 2 to November 2.
The jar decorated with traditional patterns that the President of Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika gave to President Roh Moo-hyun during his visit to Algeria in March 2006 is on display at the “Sincerity and Regards From All Over the World” exhibition, currently at the Cheong Wa Dae Sanrangchae.
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