This is a July 1940 news article about a formal visit to Japanese-ruled Seoul by a delegation from Francoist Spain, which had emerged victorious in the Spanish Civil War the previous year. The Franco regime was marked by rigid centralism and repressive policies toward regional identities and movements such as Catalan and Basque nationalism. In this article, the colonial newspaper presents the delegation’s tour of shrines, palaces, and museums as a polished showcase of “Korean culture” under Imperial Japanese rule.
[Translation]
Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo), July 10, 1940
Blue Eyes Roaming About
Spanish Delegation Given a Tour of Korean Culture
Welcomed by the enthusiastic “welcome” extended by official and public circles across Korea, the twenty-member Spanish economic mission from the passionate land of Spain entered the city on July 8th. After spending a night at the Chōsen Hotel, the party was delighted by the pleasant summer sky.
At 9:30 in the morning, the inspection party, led by General Girona, departed from the Chōsen Hotel and paid their respects at Chōsen Shrine, lush with greenery. They then went on in search of the finest of Korean culture, visiting Injeongjeon, the Court Music Division, and the Yi Royal Household Museum of Art. The group was cheerful and lively throughout. They also inspected the Industrial Promotion Hall and gazed in astonishment at Korea’s specialty products. In the evening, they attended a welcome reception hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Trade Association. The party is scheduled to depart for Manchuria on July 10th on a train leaving at 8:40 p.m.
[Photo: Members of the delegation visiting the Yi Royal Household Museum of Art]
[Transcription]
京城日報 1940年7月10日
碧眼をキョロリ
スペイン使節団
半島文化を見学
半島朝野の”ようこそ”の歓待に迎えられて八日入城した情熱の国スペイン経済使節団一行二十名は朝鮮ホテルに一夜を明かせば快適の夏空が一行を喜ばせる。
午前九時半朝鮮ホテルを出発したヒローナ将軍以下の視察団員は緑滴る朝鮮神宮に参拝。次いで仁政殿、雅楽部、李王家美術館と半島文化の粋を求めて歩く。一行は嘻々として華やかだ。商工奨励館を視察し半島特産品に驚異の眼をみはり、夜は朝鮮商議、京城商議、貿易協会の歓迎会に臨んだ。なお一行は十日午後八時四十分発列車で満州に向う。
【写真＝李王家美術館見学の一行】
Source: Digital Newspaper Archive, National Library of Korea
