After “The Bardo in Aquileia”, the exhibition dedicated to the Tunisian museum struck by a terrorist attack, the series continues with “Wounded Archaeology”, an exhibition on Iran. Opened on 25 June, the exhibition “Lions and Bulls of ancient Persia in Aquileia” is the first of the kind in the world after the signing of the historic Iranian Nuclear Agreement. It is scheduled to run until 30 September and is organised by the Aquileia Foundation, the Museum District of Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Iranian Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, in partnership with the Bracco Foundation and many more sponsors. It is dedicated to Achaemenid and Sassanid art and displays 29 pieces – many of which have never left Iran – in gold, silver, bronze, clay and stone from the National Archaeological Museum of Teheran and from the Persepolis Museum. The catalogue, published in Italian, English and Farsi, opens with a foreword by the Italian Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities, Dario Franceschini, the President of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Debora Serracchiani, the President of the Aquileia Foundation, Ambassador Antonio Zanardi Landi and, on behalf of Iran, by the Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Masoud Soltanifar.
The internationally relevant exhibition aims to support the resumption of dialogue with and revive interest in the Islamic Republic of Iran, an important cultural and potentially also political and economic partner with which Italy never suspended its relations, even in the most difficult years. “With the series of exhibitions launched last year and scheduled to continue with equally interesting and topical initiatives, Aquileia and its namesake Foundation are developing a vocation to conduct ‘cultural policy’ operations focused on Countries of particular interest to Italy,” said Minister Franceschini and President Serracchiani.
The inauguration of the exhibition was welcomed by the President of the Italian Republic who sent a heartfelt message conveying the full importance of the initiative.
