Guatemala Presents the Exhibition “Tak’alik Ab’aj: Legacy of a Living Civilization” in Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea

The Embassy of Guatemala in the Republic of Korea is pleased to announce the presentation of the exhibition “Tak’alik Ab’aj: Legacy of a Living Civilization”, on view at the Sontag International Community Center in the city of Pyeongtaek from June 14 to July 11, 2025.

This cultural display is part of Guatemala’s ongoing efforts to promote cultural diplomacy and is presented within the framework of the 20th Pyeongtaek International Children’s Art Exhibition, organized by the Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation (PIF).

The exhibition is dedicated to Tak’alik Ab’aj, a Guatemalan archaeological site of exceptional significance, which was inscribed in 2023 on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Tak’alik Ab’aj serves as a cultural bridge between the Olmec and Maya civilizations, bearing witness to over a thousand years of continuous occupation. The site is renowned for its sculptural richness, ceremonial monuments, and some of the earliest examples of Maya hieroglyphic writing.

“The people of Guatemala are deeply proud to present this exhibition, which celebrates the universal value of one of the oldest cradles of Mesoamerican civilization,” stated H.E. Sara Angelina Solís-Castañeda, Ambassador of Guatemala to the Republic of Korea, who officially inaugurated the exhibition on Saturday, June 14, 2025, together with the Mayor of Pyeongtaek, Mr. Jung Jang-Seon. “Tak’alik Ab’aj is more than an archaeological site; it is a living heritage that speaks to the ingenuity, spirituality, and profound bond of our ancestors with Mother Earth.”

The exhibition offers both Korean and international audiences a unique window into the ancestral history of Guatemala and seeks to further strengthen cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Korea and Latin America.

The Embassy of Guatemala warmly invites the public to visit this remarkable exhibition and discover one of the most treasured cultural legacies of the American continent.