Opening the Exhibition

One hundred forty years have passed since Korea and Italy established diplomatic relations. What does Italy mean to Korea? When asked about Italy, some might think of Milan, the city of fashion; some might remember it as the birthplace of the Renaissance; while others might consider it a country of craftsmen. "Rome wasn't built in a day" might also be the first saying that comes to people's minds. While that familiar saying reminds us of the greatness of the Roman Empire, it sometimes leads us to think about what history means to us. Not only Rome but also today's Italy and Korea were built upon layers and layers of historic moments, nor was the relationship between the two countries built in a single day. One hundred forty years of time are ingrained in it. The two countries have been maintaining an amicable relationship and are now marching forward together, respecting each other's culture and arts. Looking back on some of the key interactions that have occurred between the two countries during that long time can give us a clue as to how they have influenced each other.