A Lunchtime Stroll to the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History: Special Exhibition
Ahn Jung-geun's Calligraphy, Capturing His Life and Philosophy
Taking advantage of my lunch break, I visited the special exhibition
Exhibition Structure: Ahn Jung-geun's Life, Righteousness, and Thought
The exhibition hall was divided into three sections. The first section, Ahn Jung-geun's Life (生), highlighted his upbringing and his identity as an independence activist. I could glimpse Ahn Jung-geun's values, which emphasized the importance of education from a young age, and the background that led him to become an independence fighter. In particular, through the stories of his family and those around him, I could understand the environment in which he grew up and the influences he received.
The second section, Ahn Jung-geun's Righteousness (義), focused on his righteous actions and patriotism. Through the records of the Harbin incident and the writings he left behind, I could feel his determination and sense of responsibility to sacrifice his life for his country. In this section, it was impressive that he not only showed his beliefs through action, but also left them in writing to pass on to future generations.
The last section, Ahn Jung-geun's Thought (思), dealt with his philosophy and the theory of Pan-Asianism ("Dongyang pyeonghwaron," which translates directly to "Eastern Peace Theory"). His ideas, advocating for peace and cooperation among the three East Asian countries even while in prison, provide many insights even today. In particular, his writings contained not only idealistic theories but also concrete plans for implementation, which was even more astonishing.
Messages of Life Embodied in His Calligraphy
The most impressive aspect of this exhibition was that Ahn Jung-geun's calligraphy was not simply artwork, but rather contained his life and philosophy. Each work contained a message emphasizing values such as education, patriotism, and peace, and through this, I could feel what a deeply committed person Ahn Jung-geun was.
In particular, the calligraphy written in prison delivered a strong message that went beyond simple writing. It felt special in that it was not just a personal record, but a legacy he wanted to leave to future generations.
Modern Presentation and Interactive Elements
This exhibition not only displays artifacts, but also incorporates modern presentation and interactive elements to enhance the visitor experience. For example, digital technology was used to analyze the brushstrokes of the calligraphy, and there was also an interactive corner where visitors could try their hand at brush writing. These elements helped me to feel Ahn Jung-geun's philosophy and beliefs even more vividly.
Also on display on one side of the exhibition hall was a photo of Ahn Jung-geun being visited in Lushun Prison, allowing me to feel the situation at the time vividly. Although he was a prisoner, he still looked full of spirit.
In conclusion...
Although it was a short lunchtime stroll, this exhibition gave me a deep resonance. I once again realized how deep a philosophy and conviction Ahn Jung-geun had, not only as an independence fighter but also as an educator and thinker. If you have time, be sure to visit. You will be able to feel the noble spirit he left behind with his calligraphy.
