"Hand in Hand~" A Photo Review of 140 Years of Korea-Italy Diplomatic Relations

Commemorative Photo Exhibition at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History
Photos Showcasing Activities of the 68th Red Cross Hospital

A photo exhibition commemorating the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Italy will be held. The exhibition, titled "All Roads Lead to History, Italy and Korea," will take place from the 27th of this month to the 31st of next month at the Theme Hall on the 3rd floor of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. It will showcase over 100 photographs depicting the exchange relationship between the two countries from the 1884 Korea-Italy Treaty of Amity and Commerce to the present. Various photos and videos, including the activities of the Italian 68th Red Cross Hospital dispatched during the Korean War, will be revealed for the first time.

On the 26th, at the opening ceremony, Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, met with Emilia Gatto, Ambassador of the Italian Embassy, and promised to promote mutual cultural exchange. In his welcoming speech, he said, "The song 'Hand in Hand,' composed by Italian Giorgio Moroder and sung by Korean group Koreana, is still considered one of the greatest Olympic anthems in history," adding, "This exhibition captures such historic moments between the two countries." He continued, "This marks a vigorous start to the '2024-2025 Korea-Italy Year of Mutual Cultural Exchange' journey," and expressed hope that "the two countries will envision a future to walk together."

Ambassador Gatto responded, "The exhibited photos and documents are not only about the past but also a solid and certain foundation for the future of bilateral relations," and added, "Although geographically distant, I hope the similarities between the two countries, which share common values and goals, will be highlighted."

The opening ceremony was attended by Hong Young-pyo, Chairman of the Korea-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Association; Hong Seok-in, Public Diplomacy Ambassador of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Michela Linda Magri, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Korea; Lim Hyung-joo, Chair Professor at the Rome Conservatory of Music; broadcaster Alberto Mondi; and Marcello Abondanza, head coach of the women's volleyball team Heungkuk Life.