Rare diplomatic gifts to be displayed on National Day

“Academia Historica has more than 300 sets of precious gift items from five continents around the world, including many rare articles that are in no way inferior to the art treasures at our National Palace Museum,” said Academia Historica President Lin Man-hung.

In addition to epitomizing Taiwan's relations with other countries around the globe, the collection also has deep cultural significance, Lin said.

“Some of the objects portray the donor countries' unique artistic or handicraft achievements, while others signify major historical events or legends,” Lin said. “All the artifacts are embodiments of the different cultures.”

The items to be displayed will include an 84-cm-wide, 118-cm-tall kudu horn presented to the late President Chiang Kai-shek in 1969 by then-Chad President Ngarta Tombal Baye, Lin said, adding that the animal specimen is very impressive.

“This kind of gift is no longer common as wildlife conservation has become a mainstream trend in today's world,” Lin said.

The collection also includes the No.1259 commemorative coin issued by the Vatican, which was a gift to President Ma Ying-jeou from a Holy See special envoy to mark Ma's inauguration.

Another special item to be exhibited is a 4.67-meter-long canoe, which was presented to former President Chen Shui-bian in May 2005 by then-Marshall Islands President Kessai Note during Chen's visit to the South Pacific island country.

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