Nov. 6 – Piazza Grande and Gwanghwamun Square, symbols of Bologna and Seoul respectively, are not as far away from each other as they seem. The two cities agreed upon a strategic alliance to promote urban innovation and share initiatives on social economy, smart city and culture. The international cooperation agreement was signed by the mayor of the South Korean capital, Park Won Soon, and the Mayor of Bologna, Virginio Merola. ” Bologna and Seoul are two innovative cities, – said Merola – and both are betting heavily on their citizens and social economy to manage their urban systems. Seoul looks to our tradition in the field of services and subsidiarity, while we look to Seoul for the application of advanced technologies. We have agreed to work together to combine these aspects. This is an excellent opportunity for our businesses to increase their exchanges with Korea. This is also why we will work with the Foreign Affairs Ministry and local economic institutions.” The two mayors met officially yesterday at the opening of the Global Social Economic Forum 2013. The alliance between the two cities seals a long tradition of economic and institutional cooperation; it represents an important step towards 2014, when Italy and Korea will be celebrate the 130th anniversary of bilateral relations between the two countries; and is an essential moment towards boosting economic relations prior to the 2015 Milan Expo. In Fall 2014, the two mayors have committed to organize a special exhibition dedicated to the Bolognese painter Giorgio Morandi at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in Seoul.
