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#Exhibit of the Month
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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

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.

 



Independent Moldova
Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic
Bessarabia and MASSR between the Two World Wars
Bessarabia and Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in the Period between the Two World Wars
Revival of National Movement
Time of Reforms and their Consequences
Abolition of Autonomy. Bessarabia – a New Tsarist Colony
Period of Relative Autonomy of Bessarabia within the Russian Empire
Phanariot Regime
Golden Age of the Romanian Culture
Struggle for Maintaining of Independence of Moldova
Formation of Independent Medieval State of Moldova
Era of the
Great Nomad Migrations
Early Middle Ages
Iron Age and Antiquity
Bronze Age
Aeneolithic Age
Neolithic Age
Palaeolithic Age
  
  

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#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...

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The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2026 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
 Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
 Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC

 

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The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2026 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
 Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
 Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC

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The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2026 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
 Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
 Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC