#Exhibit of the Month

The work In Memoriam. In Memory of the Heroes Who Fell at the Nistru (1992) was developed within the Center for Culture and Military History and published under the auspices of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, the Bureau for Reintegration, and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova. Authors: Gheorghe Bălan, Vitalie Ciobanu, Gheorghe Cojocaru.

This work provides a retrospective of the events that led to the outbreak of the war on the Nistru, accompanied by photographs of the heroes who lost their lives in the battles to defend the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova.

On March 2, 1992, the political conflict in the Nistru region escalated into a true fratricidal war. Under the fabricated pretext of "defending Russia's southern borders," political adventurers from the former Soviet metropolis encouraged Transnistrian separatism by arming secessionist paramilitary groups. At the same time, thousands of mercenary Cossacks and prisoners released early from jails, along with tanks and missiles, were sent against Independent Moldova, in a desperate attempt to revive the fallen empire.

Russia's undeclared war against the Republic of Moldova left behind hundreds of dead and wounded, shattered families, and villages in ruins. More than 50,000 peaceful residents from the conflict zone were forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge from the horrors of war.

For the sake of freedom and the future, Moldova's defenders faced death, enduring the hardships and humiliations of war.

During the Nistru war, 198 soldiers of the National Army and 89 personnel from the Ministry of Internal Affairs lost their lives, while 40 combatants went missing without a trace, and nearly 300 were left disabled.

Virtual Tour

Exhibitions

"Astrophysicist Nicolae DONICI - 150 Years of Light"

September 15 – October 15, 2024

The National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the „Mihai Eminescu" Romanian Cultural Institute in Chișinău and the „Heritage 21" Foundation, will host the exhibition titled "Astrophysicist Nicolae Donici - 150 Years of Light".

This initiative aims to present, in an accessible and concise manner, the remarkable life and achievements of Nicolae Donici (September 1/13, 1874 - November 21, 1960), a descendant of an old noble family from Moldova. Donici was a pioneering figure in the field of astronomy, internationally recognized as an Honorary Member of the Romanian Academy, Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Coimbra in Portugal, and one of the early members of the International Astronomical Union. His research on solar eclipses and cosmic phenomena earned him worldwide recognition in the scientific community.

A significant moment in his scientific career was the establishment of a private astronomical observatory in 1908 at Dubăsarii Vechi, on his aunt's estate. Dedicated to the study of astral phenomena, this observatory gained international fame due to Donici's ingenuity in adapting and improving his equipment. Among his notable achievements was the construction, in 1909, of a spectroheliograph, which he used to photograph the solar chromosphere in K rays (calcium), making it the only such equipment in Eastern Europe at the time. His detailed research on photospheric granules, chromospheric filaments, and solar prominences significantly advanced scientific knowledge in this field.

The exhibition also highlights Nicolae Donici's contributions to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), where he had a remarkable presence. He was an active member of several scientific commissions, including the Solar Physics Commission and the Solar Eclipses Commission. Donici attended all eight IAU congresses held between 1922 and 1955, in cities such as Rome, Cambridge, Leiden, Paris, and Stockholm. At the 1935 Paris congress, he presented the results of his research on the solar atmosphere, conducted at his observatory in Dubăsarii Vechi. His proposal to include the study of zodiacal light in the program of the Solar Atmosphere Commission was adopted, further establishing him as a leader in international astronomical research.

The 20 panels of the exhibition provide an extensive overview of his life and work, highlighting his importance as a pioneer of global astronomy and his role in advancing solar research. Through these materials, visitors will not only learn about Donici's scientific achievements but also gain insight into his lasting legacy for world science.

The exhibition can be viewed from September 15 to October 15, 2024, on the fence of the National Museum of History of Moldova, Chișinău, 121A, 31 August 1989 Street.