#Exhibit of the Month

The Roman bronze situla comes from a collection of archaeological artifacts confiscated at customs and transferred to the holdings of the National Museum of History of Moldova in 2009. Its place of discovery remains unknown.

A situla (Latin for "bucket") is a metal vessel-usually made of bronze-shaped like a pail and equipped with two movable handles at the top, traditionally used for mixing wine with water. The handles are attached to the vessel via two decorated ears that are welded to the rim.

The body of the situla is truncated-conical in shape and features two decorative bands with small circular patterns formed by hammering, located just below the rim.

Its base is double-layered: the inner bottom is hemispherical and hammered, while the outer bottom is flat and lathe-made. The outer base is welded to the inner bottom, serving as the vessel's foot-support.

This object was crafted using a combination of casting, hammering, and partial lathe-finishing. Dimensions: Maximum height - 31.7 cm; Maximum diameter - 22.8 cm; Base diameter - 13.5 cm

Situlae of this type originated in the Roman Empire and were later adopted by various ancient peoples, including those from the northwestern Pontic region.

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Exhibitions

“The Division of Europe. Consequences of the Ribbentrop-Molotov (Hitler-Stalin) Pact”

July 31 – September 6, 2025

Between July 31 and September 6, 2025, the National Museum of History of Moldova will host the traveling exhibition "The Division of Europe. Consequences of the Ribbentrop-Molotov (Hitler-Stalin) Pact", organized in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Moldova Office, the Berlin-Karlshorst Museum, and the National Association of Young Historians of Moldova.

The exhibition opening will take place on July 31, 2025, at 10:00 AM on the ground floor of the National Museum of History of Moldova.

This exhibition was developed by the Berlin-Karlshorst Museum and the Chair of East European History at Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf, marking 85 years since the signing of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact. Signed on August 23, 1939, between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, the pact was more than a non-aggression treaty-it was a secret agreement to divide Central and Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, with tragic consequences for millions of people.

Through archival documents, maps, photographs, and personal testimonies, the exhibition reconstructs the historical context of the pact and highlights its impact on Poland, the Baltic States, Romania, and other countries in the region. Deportations, forced occupations, loss of sovereignty, and human suffering are presented not only as historical facts but also as warnings for present and future generations.

This educational and commemorative initiative reflects the core values of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation: the defense of democracy, the promotion of the rule of law, respect for human rights, and the cultivation of responsible historical memory. In an era when historical truth is often contested or relativized, it is essential to provide the public with tools for critical understanding of the past.

The exhibition is part of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's broader efforts to support civic education and European dialogue. It offers a space for reflection for young people, educators, historians, and the general public, encouraging a deeper analysis of the tragedies caused by the pact and the dangers posed by historical silence or distortion.

Previously, the exhibition was presented at the Museum of the Edineț Region from June 5 to 30, 2025. By the end of the year, it will be shown in several other cities across the Republic of Moldova, in collaboration with local museums.