Iran, South Korea mark 63 years of ties with joint calligraphy show
A joint Iran–South Korea calligraphy exhibition themed “Family” opened on Tuesday morning at the residence of the South Korean ambassador in Tehran, marking the first visit by Korean calligraphers to Iran in nine years, Mehr reported.
The event coincided with the 63rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and brought together leading artists from both nations. The exhibition featured works by renowned Iranian calligraphers Tandis Taghavi, Esrafil Shirchi, and Mojtaba Sabzeh, alongside twelve members of the Korean Calligraphy Association, including its president and vice president.
South Korean Ambassador Kim Junpyo expressed his pleasure at hosting the event, describing it as a testament to the “warm friendship” between Tehran and Seoul. “We are delighted that this collaboration, made possible through the CCCACD (Cultural Coordination Centre of Asia Cooperation Dialogue), has strengthened cultural ties between our two nations,” he said.
Speaking about the exhibition’s theme, Kim noted: “The show revolves around the concept of family and seeks to convey its profound values.
“While Korean and Iranian calligraphy differ in appearance, both reveal the cultural depth and sensitivity of their peoples. I am confident that such exchanges will continue to deepen our cooperation,” he added.
Mohammad Jafari-Malek, director of the CCCACD, congratulated the ambassador on the anniversary of bilateral ties and praised the choice of “Family” as a fitting and meaningful title for the event.
Taking the podium next, Yong Hyun-dak of the Korean Calligraphy Association said he cherished the 63-year-long relationship and hoped it would “flourish for another 630 years.”
Iranian artist Tandis Taghavi highlighted the importance of family in Asian cultures and stressed that “artists play a vital role in strengthening political relations through cultural dialogue.” She added that such initiatives help foster friendship not only between Iran and Korea but across the world.
Esrafil Shirchi remarked that in studying the Korean script, he found “structural similarities with Iran’s Nastaliq script,” noting that “even without meeting one another, we share a common artistic spirit and that is truly magnificent.”
The ceremony concluded with a live calligraphy performance by the president of the Korean Calligraphers Association in the ambassador’s garden.