Congratulatory message by First Lady Kwon Yang-sook of the Republic of Korea at the opening ceremony of the Korea Gallery
Distinguished Acting Secretary Cristián Samper of the Smithsonian Institution, Acting Director Dr. Paul Risser of the National Museum of Natural History, and guests from home and abroad.
I am very pleased with the opening today of the Korea Gallery at the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution, one of the preeminent museums in the world. All the more significant is the fact that the Korea Gallery is the first independent exhibition space for an individual country in the museum. Along with all the Korean people, I extend heartfelt gratitude to the officials of the museum for their efforts.
When I visited Washington D.C. in 2003, I had a chance to tour the Smithsonian, which is truly magnificent. Indeed, it vividly illustrates the footsteps of human beings throughout history. The museum is exceptionally loved by people around the world, attracting more than 30 million visitors annually.
The Korean people and I, myself, may well take great pleasure and pride in the fact that Korean culture will be showcased and further promoted at this fine museum.
The unique culture of Korea has blossomed throughout its history of thousands of years. The country accepted diverse cultures from the East and West and synthesized them into a creative culture of its own. As the country where the first movable metal type was invented already in the 13th century, Korea is one of the countries that have put the greater number of cultural properties on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. In recent years, the fever of the Korean Wave or Hallyu has swept across and beyond Asia.
I hope that the Korea Gallery will become a bridge of friendship and goodwill in years to come through many different exhibitions and cultural events, growing into a key attraction at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The Korean Government will extend continued interest and support to help ensure the Korea Gallery becomes a successful addition to the institution.
Once again, congratulations on the opening of the Korea Gallery; I wish the Smithsonian Institution continued success.
Thank you.
웹사이트: http://www.president.go.kr
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2008년 8월 6일 17:22
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