By Honorary Reporter Hanum Nur Aprilia from Indonesia

The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in Indonesia on July 28 hosted a lecture on "Art of the Silla Kingdom: the Splendor of Silla's Artistic and Cultural Heritage" in Jakarta as part of a festival on the cultural tourism and art of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Gyeongju.

The festival ran from July 21-31.

Led by Jeong Ok-jeon, lecturer at the State University of Jakarta and an art curator, the participants were guided through the cultural and spiritual legacy of the Silla Dynasty, which ruled the southeastern Korean Peninsula for nearly a millennium, the longest on the peninsula.

The festival also promotes the hosting of this year's APEC Summit in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. (Hanum Nur Aprilia)

Among the most iconic relics of Silla displayed are six gold crowns discovered at ancient royal tombs, notably the grand Hwangnam Daechong (Royal Tomb of Silla). These crowns, along with gold swords, jewelry and imported glassware, reflect Silla's wealth and global connections. Among the glass artifacts shown are those believed to have originated from Central or West Asia, offering evidence of cultural exchange.

The main religion of Silla was Buddhism, but the kingdom's written legacy also showed a society grounded in both Buddhist and Confucian values. A stone stele in Pohang showed evidence of royal support for governance and religion, while a vow stone inscription depicted two young scholars committing to Confucian learning. The royal family also sponsored many temples, seeking divine protection for the kingdom.

Scholar Jeong Ok-jeon on July 28 delivers the lecture "Art of the Silla Kingdom: the Splendor of Silla's Artistic and Cultural Heritage" at the KCC in Indonesia. (Hanum Nur Aprilia)

The Roof-end Tile with Human Face Motif of Gyeongju from the temples of Queen Seondeok's era is the official symbol of the APEC Summit in Gyeongju. With its warm and gentle expression, the centuries-old artifact has been reimagined as a modern emblem of hospitality, welcoming global leaders with a message rooted in Korean heritage.

Another impressive monument from this era is the Sacred Bell of King Seongdeok, also known as the Bell of Bongdeoksa Temple, cast in 771 CE during King Hyegong's reign. Jeong played a recording of the bell's deep and resonant tone for an emotional connection to the past.

Roof-end Tile with Human Face Motif of Gyeongju (left) and Sacred Bell of King Seongdeok (Korea Heritage Service)

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.