#Exhibit of the Month

Christmas bells entered the Romanian cultural space through a long process in which archaic traditions blended with Christian belief and European influences. Long before the holiday of Christmas developed as we know it, metallic sounds played an important ritual role in old communities: they were used to drive away evil spirits, to purify spaces, and to protect people during transitional moments at the turn of the year. These beliefs have been preserved in winter customs such as caroling, the Plugușor, and masked dances, where bells and jingles were indispensable.
With the spread of Christianity, the sound of the bell also acquired a profound religious meaning, becoming an announcer of major feasts and a symbol of the Nativity. Small bells, however, were not originally used as decorations but primarily as functional or ritual objects.
The first decorated Christmas tree in the Romanian lands was the one at the palace of Prince Carol I of Hohenzollern, following his arrival in the Romanian Principalities in 1866. From that moment the tradition took root, and on Christmas Eve princes and princesses invited to the palace would take part in decorating the tree. Among the ornaments used were small metal bells, symbolizing joy, the good news, and divine protection for the home.
In the twentieth century, Christmas bells spread across all Romanian provinces and became a visual emblem of the holiday, appearing in both decorations and carols. Even during periods when religious expression was curtailed, bells remained in people's homes as signs of joy and the continuity of tradition. Today they retain this dual meaning: the echo of ancient beliefs and, at the same time, the announcement of the Birth of Christ - a symbol of hope, light, and the link between past and present.
These tinkling pieces are part of a generous heritage collection at the National Museum of History of Moldova (NMHM), which includes more than 200 cultural items. A substantial contribution to the museum's collection of decorative bells was made by Dorina Raischi, a teacher at School No. 94 in Chișinău, who donated 174 bells, of which around 30 are winter-themed. Made of ceramic, porcelain, glass, and metal, they were brought from different parts of the world and together offer a succinct picture of the global culture of bells. They add a festive note to the home and even to a gift, and it is hard to imagine Christmas without their cheerful tinkling.

Virtual Tour

Exhibitions

“European Moldova”

August 11, 2025 – January 31, 2026

The exhibition is dedicated to the National Holidays-Independence Day and Romanian Language Day-and presents an impressive selection of photographic images reflecting the process of European association and integration of the Republic of Moldova. The exhibition opening will take place on August 26, 2025, at 11:00 AM, in Exhibition Hall No. 1 of the National Museum of History of Moldova.

The proclamation of the Republic of Moldova's state independence on August 27, 1991, marked the beginning of a new era in the political, socio-economic, and cultural development of the young state. The Republic of Moldova firmly set out on the path of reform and progress, confirming its commitment to building a democratic society based on the rule of law and respect for human dignity and rights, as well as its aspiration to align with the values of the European Union.

The deepening of cooperation with the European Union began with the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement of 1994, followed by the Action Plan of 2005, and continued with the signing of the Association Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union on June 27, 2014. This agreement laid the foundations for stronger political association and economic integration, promoting shared values and enhanced cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

On March 3, 2022, the Republic of Moldova submitted its application for accession to the European Union, and on June 23, 2022, the European Council recognized Moldova's European perspective and granted it the status of EU candidate country.

Following the constitutional referendum of October 20, 2024, and the decision of the Constitutional Court on December 13, 2024, the objective of Moldova's accession to the European Union was introduced into the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova. Thus, the country's supreme law-the Constitution-reaffirmed the European identity of the Moldovan people and the irreversibility of its European path, declaring integration into the European Union as a strategic objective of the Republic of Moldova.

The achievement of this objective requires sustained efforts from the political class, civil society, and all state institutions, including cultural figures and institutions that promote European values and contribute to raising awareness throughout society of the necessity of European integration for a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future for the Republic of Moldova and its citizens.

The exhibition "European Moldova" aims to promote and strengthen the sense of belonging to the European Union and the citizens' attachment to European values.

The exhibition brings together approximately 100 photographic images that reflect the historical journey of the Republic of Moldova from the proclamation of independence to the signing and implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement.

Various sections of the exhibition highlight political and cultural events, visits by high-ranking European officials who expressed support for Moldova's European path, artistic ensembles, and prominent personalities who promote Europe's democratic and cultural values.

The images presented in the exhibition are sourced from the collections of the National Museum of History of Moldova and the personal archive of photojournalist Mihai Vengher.

#Exhibit of the Month

Decorative Bells

“European Moldova”

August 11, 2025 – January 31, 2026

#Exhibit of the Month