#Exhibit of the Month

We find ourselves in the month of April, as we prepare to celebrate Easter-a moveable religious holiday rich in festive rituals and ceremonial activities that place this event at the very heart of Christian spiritual life. The spirit of the Resurrection is beautifully complemented by ten Easter-themed postcards from the heritage of the National Museum of History of Moldova, printed a century ago. These pieces were added to the museum's postcard collection over a decade ago following a successful acquisition; as the fund for Easter-themed illustrations is modest, we are in a constant search for new additions.

These postcards are "extraordinary" in terms of their postal, typographical, and chromatic effects-the primary reason for revisiting this genre of greetings. Unlike "classic" postcards, these are smaller in size (6.5 cm x 11 cm), made of cardboard (with the exception of one piece made of photographic paper in black and white), and feature "vivid" colors. Printed in Romania and Germany, they bear the marks of having been sent and circulated through the post.

The name of the holiday originates from the verb persach, meaning "to pass," a term adopted by the Jews from the Egyptians. It entered the Romanian language through the Byzantine-Latin form Paschae, signifying the "passage through death to life, the victory of life, and liberation from the bondage of sin." Easter is a holiday of tolerance and forgiveness, representing a bridge between the present and the past. The significance of this celebration is conveyed through its symbols, which are also featured on these postcards: Hand-painted eggs, the Easter Bunny and the Lamb, traditional sweet breads (cozonac and pască), biblical scenes related to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Easter table also features pască-a ritual food reminiscent of ancient, bloodless "reconciliation" sacrifices. Its preparation is the exclusive task of women, the givers of life, as the leavened dough is considered "alive."

The most significant component of the Easter holiday, however, is the Light. The Ceremony of the Holy Light is associated with the miracle of the light appearing on Easter Sunday at Christ's Tomb in Jerusalem. The candle, often depicted in these images, carries a powerful message; it is with the Resurrection candle that we return home after the midnight religious service. Furthermore, the Easter Bunny represents the rebirth of nature, so eagerly awaited after a harsh winter.

Unlike Christmas, when the announcement and ritual integration of the community into sacred time was the duty of caroling groups, at Easter, "one does not go from house to house." Instead, the ritual meal is organized within each family, symbolizing a direct communion with God.

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Exhibitions

„PAIN IN REFUGEES”

February 24 – March 12, 2023

On February 24, 2023, starting at 12:00, at the National Museum of History of Moldova will be launched the exhibition "PAIN IN REFUGEES".

Chronic pain is a prolonged experience of pain that persists beyond the point where it is considered an adaptive experience. Pain can contribute to stress, anxiety, depression and interference in normal everyday function. Over the past decade, there has been growing interest in the connection between chronic pain and psychological conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder.

The primary aim of this exhibition is to ascertain that pain, regardless of its source, is more than just a sensory experience. Pain affects every aspect of a person`s life, and there are dynamic and mutually reinforcing relationships between biological, psychological, and social factors that interact and contribute to pain experience. Other perspective of the research is to study the interrelationship between visual perceptions, involuntary memories after threatening event, comorbidities, current place of leaving, self-destructive behaviour and perception of pain`s depth in refugees.

Colours and pain are biologically closely related. Pain in turn is associated, most of the time, with certain colours. The given association was also made by our respondents - the refugees.

Another perspective of the given research is to study the interrelation between visual perceptions, involuntary memories after the threatening event, comorbidities, the current place of living, self-destructive behaviour and the perception of the depth of pain in refugees.

We invite you to take knowledge and attitude based on the experiences and answers of 264 respondents, suffering from acute and chronic pain, but also from the psychological impact of the horrors of the war. Different people, different colours - same suffering!

The exhibition is a result of the collaboration between the Moldovan Society for the Study and Management of Pain and the Ukrainian Society for Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy.

The "PAIN IN REFUGEES" exhibition can be seen between February 24 and March 12, 2023, on the fence of the National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 str., 121A.

#Exhibit of the Month

Easter-Themed Postcards

„PAIN IN REFUGEES”

February 24 – March 12, 2023

#Exhibit of the Month