This marks President Lee's first European trip since taking office, and his choice to visit a city other than the capital, Rome, aligns with the tradition of state visits to Italy. During his visit in 2023, Italian President Sergio Mattarella toured the Korean Demilitarized Zone and Haeinsa Temple in South Korea, while former President Kim Dae-jung visited Milan in March 2000.
On this occasion, President Lee announced a mutual cooperation agreement between the National Museum of Korea and the Uffizi Gallery, which includes the exchange of exhibitions and artifacts.
The two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance collaboration in areas such as exhibitions, educational programs, artifact management, restoration, and publishing. They also plan to develop programs to facilitate these exchanges.
The Uffizi Gallery, located in Florence, is renowned for its collection of Renaissance masterpieces, including Sandro Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" and Leonardo da Vinci's "The Annunciation."
During his visit, President Lee toured the second-floor exhibition space of the Uffizi Gallery with Yoo Hong-jun, director of the National Museum of Korea, and Simone Verde, director of the Uffizi Gallery, to view representative artworks.
Director Yoo discussed future collaboration and exhibition exchanges with Director Verde, expressing hope to introduce masterpieces from the Uffizi Gallery, such as those by Botticelli, to Korea. Verde acknowledged the growing global influence of Korean culture and expressed interest in showcasing Uffizi works in Korea.
Earlier, President Lee met with Eugenio Giani, the governor of Tuscany, urging him to ensure the convenience and safety of overseas Koreans.
President Lee praised Tuscany as the birthplace of the Renaissance and home to the world-famous Uffizi Gallery, noting that since 2003, the Florence Korean Film Festival has showcased the artistry and quality of Korean cinema on the European and global stage.
He expressed hope that the recently concluded "Film Co-Production Agreement" between Korea and Italy would lead to more collaborative projects based on the countries' strong production capabilities.
As the Florence Korean Film Festival celebrates its 24th year, President Lee called for continued support to establish it as a leading international cultural festival representing Tuscany.
In Florence, President Lee also inquired about the cooperative efforts among local cooperatives and the annual number of visitors to the city.
Governor Giani remarked that he was impressed by President Lee's autobiography and highlighted his background as a human rights lawyer. He expressed expectations for President Lee to play a significant role in advancing democracy in Korea and the international community. President Lee responded, stating, "I believe it is all about the power of democracy."
Chief Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung noted that President Lee's visit to Florence demonstrates deep respect for Italy's Renaissance cultural heritage while laying the groundwork for enhanced bilateral cooperation at the local government level.
Meanwhile, First Lady Kim Hye-kyung attended a hanbok fashion show titled "The Beauty of Hanbok Beyond Time" at the National Academy of Fine Arts in Rome the previous day, emphasizing cultural exchange between the two countries.
Dressed in a gray hanbok, Kim stated, "The beauty and creativity of hanbok inspire many people across borders. I hope the inspiration of hanbok, which has blossomed through time, develops into a cultural bridge connecting our two nations and enriches our exchanges further."
According to Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong, the fashion show featured prominent YouTube creator "Milanonna" (Jang Myung-sook), faculty and students from the National Academy of Fine Arts, and key figures from the local cultural and artistic community.
Before the fashion show, Kim held a meeting with representatives from the fashion department at the National Academy of Fine Arts and hanbok designers Kim Hye-soon and Kim Ye-ji.
Kim expressed, "Fashion is a beautiful means of communication that helps us understand each other's lives and cultures beyond borders and languages. I hope this time will be precious for both countries to deepen their understanding and forge a warm friendship through hanbok."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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