#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.

Virtual Tour

Exhibitions

„The Ambassador of Transdniestrian Molovata”

April 28th - June 27th, 2016

On April 28, 2016, at the National Museum of History of Moldova was opened the exhibition „The Ambassador of Transdniestrian Molovata" celebrating 80 years from the birth of Anatol Codru.

Anatol Codru, a poet known across all Europe, has marked the history of our national culture with his great and genuine personality, a bivalent man of art who served faithfully during his entire life two art fields embraced with an inexplicable love - poetry and cinematography.

He became famous for his memorable poetry volumes and documentary films dedicated to our ancestors and various personalities that are pat of the spiritual and artistic heritage of the nation: Dimitrie Cantemir, Mihai Eminescu, Ion Creangă, Vasile Alecsandri, Alexandru Plămădeală, Nicolai Costenco etc.

After the first volume of poetry „Nopți albe" (White Nights), edited in 1962, and the first documentary film „Trânta" (The fight), made in 1968, followed other 30 films and several books of poetry which are unique in the landscape of modern national and international lyrics of the twentieth century.

For his remarkable achievements in the art of writing and filmmaking, Anatol Codru has been awarded numerous national and international awards, state awards, including the State Prize of the MSSR, the medal Mihai Eminescu and Order of the Republic.

Anatol Codru was the president of the Union of the Cinematographers of Moldova, honorary member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova and of the International Film Academy „Nika" from Russia.

The exhibition "The Ambassador of Transdiestrian Molovata" brings together about 250 photographs, documents, books of poems, awards, antiques, etc. objects that show the most significant events and aspects form the activity of this distinguished personality of national history and culture. Also, the exhibition is a first attempt to valorise through museum exhibition the great cultural heritage of the poet and film director Anatol Codru.

The opening ceremony was attended by distinguished men of culture, friends and colleagues of the late Anatol Codru.

Several guests spoke about Anatol Codru's personality and great contribution to the development of national culture and the promotion of national and universal values: Gheorghe Postică, deputy minister of culture; Eugen Doga and Nicolae Dabija, academicians; Arcadie Suceveanu, president of the Union of Writes of Moldova; Sandu Vasilache, director of the film studio „Moldova-Film"; Dumitru Olărescu, writer; Boris Movilă, publicist etc.

The exhibition opening ceremony culminated with the presentation of some fragments from the most popular documentary films created by Anatol Codru.

#Exhibit of the Month

Easter-Themed Postcards

„The Ambassador of Transdniestrian Molovata”

April 28th - June 27th, 2016

#Exhibit of the Month