#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

International Museum Day 2015

This year the series of events dedicated to International Museum Day took place on May 16, under the theme „Museums for a sustainable society"

THE PROGRAM INCLUDED:

Visiting the museum exhibitions
Venue: exhibition rooms, between 11:00 and 17:00

Mini-exhibition "Voltaire's works in the collection of Koch from the Scientific Library of the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy named after Nicolae Testemitanu (Chisinau)"
Venue: medieval history compartment of the permanent exhibition, from 11:00 to 17:00

Musical compositions for accordion and guitar played by artistic groups of the Aesthetic Education Center "Lăstărel"
Venue: the museum courtyard, from 11:00 to 11:30

Workshop "Let's take care of the future". Within this creative action dedicated to the IMD theme, young audience will be informed about the importance of environmental protection and invited to manufacture different objects using packaging waste.
Venue: the educational workshop, from 11:00 to 16:00

Workshop on archeology and paleoanthropology "What the earth tells us"
The workshop will be located in a specially equipped place, representing a copy of an archaeological excavation. Visitors under the guidance of archaeologists and anthropologists will be involved in "deciphering" of human activities of the past by analyzing the artifacts: pottery, tools, bones, and so on.
Venue: the museum courtyard, from 11:00 to 20:00

Hand-made dolls workshop organized by „Teddy-Doll-md"
Venue: hall of the ground floor, from 11:00 to 17:00

Entertainment program for children: games, contests, music and dance. With the participation of artistic groups of the Aesthetic Education Center "Lăstărel"
Venue: the museum courtyard, 12:00-12:50, 16:00-17:00

Presentation of the catalogue "Theotokos icons of the 17th-20th centuries from the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova" by Adelaida Chiroșca
Venue: room no. 2 on the ground floor, at 13:00

Opening of the exhibition of icons from the museum collection "Inextinguishable Candle of Faith"
Venue: room no. 2 on the ground floor, at 13:30

"Tale of a barrel organ": PowerPoint presentation by composer Adrian Oswalt (Germany)
Venue: Blue Room, from 14:00 to 15:20

"A history on two wheels": a motorcycle exhibition
Venue: the museum courtyard, from 14:00 to 18:00

Presentation stand of the Stephen the Great Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, interactive activities for enthusiasts of military history and traditions
Venue: the museum courtyard, from 14:00 to 20:00.

#Exhibit of the Month

Easter-Themed Postcards

International Museum Day 2015

THE PROGRAM INCLUDED:

#Exhibit of the Month