#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

Romanian Jewelry Week

18-31 August 2023

Between August 18-31, 2023, Romanian Jewelry Week continues the international marathon of contemporary jewelry through a special edition held in Chisinau, within the National Museum of History of Moldova, one of the most important museum institutions in the country. It is the first collaboration project in the field of contemporary jewelry between Romania and the Republic of Moldova. The project is co-financed by the Romanian Cultural Institute, through the Cantemir Program - funding program for cultural projects intended for the international environment.

The museum will host for two weeks an exhibition dedicated to Romanian Jewelry Week with over 50 Romanian and international artists and designers, in an event format that includes 5 special activations such as openings, guided tours, conferences and workshops dedicated to the general public. Among the exhibitors are renowned designers from Romania, Republic of Moldova, Italy, USA, France, Portugal, Germany, Ukraine, South Korea, etc., as well as two capsule exhibitions organized by Slovenian Jewelry Week and Legnica Silver Festival in Poland. A special moment will also be marked by a screening of the first international jewelry-inspired video festival - SMCK on Reel, which focuses on current social themes explored through the lens of contemporary jewelry.

Program Romanian Jewelry Week - Chisinau 2023
Location - National Museum of History of Moldova, Str. 31 August 1989 no. 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Friday, August 18, 2023
17.00 - 19.00 - Opening of the Romanian Jewelry Week contemporary jewelry exhibition - Guided tour by curator David Sandu
Saturday, August 19, 2023
10.00 - 12.00 - Imprint. Jewelry workshop for children (12-15 years).
14:00-16:00 Conference on Assemblage Contemporary Jewelery School with David Sandu and Andreia Gabriela Popescu. Demonstration workshop of polishing semi-precious stones.
16:30 - 18:00 - SMCK ON REEL FESTIVAL film screening - "Civilization Rebooted".
Wednesday, August 30, 2023 - Location - National Museum of History of Moldova, Chisinau
16.00 - 18.00 - Conferences and Finishing of Romanian Jewelry Week.

"Through this special edition of Romanian Jewelry Week, the National Museum of History of Moldova marks a special moment in the cultural collaboration between the Republic of Moldova and Romania. Contemporary jewelery is an art form full of meaning and expression, and this exhibition provides an opportunity to enjoy the creativity and ingenuity of many talented artists and designers. The National History Museum of Moldova has the mission of promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of our country, and Romanian Jewelry Week brings a new perspective on the art of jewelry in a contemporary context. Through the event, we want to encourage cultural dialogue and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas between artists and our audience." - National Museum of History of Moldova.

Access is based on the museum entrance ticket.

Event organized by Assamblage in partnership with the National Museum of History of Moldova, in Chisinau. The project is co-financed by the Romanian Cultural Institute, through the Cantemir Program - funding program for cultural projects intended for the international environment. Exhibition design signed by Kaustik.

Media partners: Radio Guerilla, Aici a Stat, Curatorialist, Curatorial.ro, Dreamingof.net, Designist.ro, ELLE, Empower Artists, Feeder.ro, Festivalier, Igloo, IQAds, Lost in Jewelry Magazine, Femeia, Modernism.ro, Atelierul Magazine, Golan Magazine, The PR Station, The Institute, Zeppelin, Days and Nights, Călători cu Gust, TVR Moldova.

Romanian Jewelry Week is an annual international project organized by Assamblage - the National Association of Authors and Designers of Contemporary Jewelry, which brings together in each edition over 190 designers and collectives from all over the world. It is currently the largest and most important event dedicated to contemporary jewelry in Romania. After 3 successful editions held in Bucharest, in cultural spaces such as the National Library of Romania, Arcub, the National History Museum of Romania, the Cotroceni National Museum, and many others, Romanian Jewelry Week will organize a first special edition in Timișoara and Chisinau in 2023, alongside the main edition in Bucharest that will take place between October 4-8, 2023.

The Romanian Cultural Institute is not responsible for the content of the project or how the results of the project can be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the beneficiary of the funding.

#Exhibit of the Month

Easter-Themed Postcards

Romanian Jewelry Week

18-31 August 2023

#Exhibit of the Month