Türkiye’s ancient Hittite masterpieces unveiled in South Korea
Hittite civilization artifacts are being exhibited in South Korea. The Hittite Special Exhibition opened at the Gimhae National Museum on October 8, 2024 (IHA Photo)
The ancient treasures of the Hittite civilization are now on display in South Korea. The Hittite Special Exhibition, hosted at the Gimhae National Museum, showcases 212 artifacts from the Hittite era, brought to South Korea as part of an international cultural collaboration.
The exhibition was inaugurated as part of an agreement signed between Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Corum Municipality, Gimhae Municipality and Gimhae National Museum earlier this year.
Cultural ties between South Korea and Türkiye strengthened
The exhibition launch coincides with the first anniversary of the Gaya Burial Mounds being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The opening ceremony, held at Gimhae, began with a performance by the Gaya City Artists Orchestra, setting the stage for a unique cultural exchange between Türkiye’s ancient Hittite civilization and South Korea’s Gaya heritage.
The exhibition will remain in Gimhae until Feb. 2, 2025, after which it will move to the South Korean capital, Seoul, for another six-month run.
Prominent figures attend the opening
The opening ceremony saw the presence of key figures, including Corum Mayor Halil Ibrahim Asgin, Türkiye’s Ambassador to South Korea Murat Tamer, and Birol Incecikoz, the director-general of Cultural Assets and Museums at Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
From the South Korean side, Gimhae Mayor Hong Tae-yong, Gimhae City Council President Ahn Sun-hwan, and delegations from both Corum and Gimhae municipalities attended the event.
Bringing 2 ancient civilizations together
Mayor Asgin emphasized the significance of the exhibition, stating, “With this exhibition, which unites the Gaya and Hittite civilizations, we are witnessing a historic moment. The artifacts from Hattusa, Bogazkale, Alacahoyuk, and Corum Museum will be displayed first in Gimhae, followed by South Korea’s capital, Seoul. We are proud to promote our city and country in South Korea.”
The Hittite Special Exhibition is expected to enhance both the promotion and tourism potential of Corum, home to some of Türkiye’s most significant archaeological sites, including Hattusa, the ancient capital of the Hittites.
