By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
``In Persia first arises that light which shines itself and illuminates what is around...The principle of development begins with the history of Persia; this constitutes therefore the beginning of history,'' German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel once wrote about the role of Persia in history, considering ancient Persians ``the first historic people.''
``Glory of Persia,'' an exhibition showing the essence of Persian culture, history and civilization, will finally make its way to Seoul and Daegu.
The National Museum of Korea will display 204 unique historical relics from 5000 B.C. to the end of the Sassanid dynastic era in 651 A.D. from April 22 to Aug. 31.
After the Seoul exhibit, it will go to the Daegu National Museum from Sept. 29 to Dec. 21.
The artifacts, titled ``Glory of Persia,'' have been selected from five Iranian national museums such as Reza Abbasi, Azerbaijan, Persepolis, and Iran's National Museum.
``It is a good opportunity to see the Persian artifacts borrowed from the five Iranian national museums in Korea as part of efforts to strengthen cultural ties with Iran,'' Kang Sung-il, director general of the Education and Culture Cooperation Bureau of the museum, said in a press conference Tuesday.
He said the exhibit will include performances, academic seminars and festivals related to Iranian culture.