#Exhibit of the Month

The Chișinău Diocesan Girls' School opened its doors on May 3, 1864, addressing a pressing need: in Bessarabia there were no institutions dedicated to the education of clergy's daughters. According to the 1864 circular, teaching was conducted in the Romanian language, a provision applied throughout the diocese. The school's first headmistress was Anastasia Rizo, of noble origin, invited by Archbishop Antonie.

The curriculum, approved by the Ministry of Public Education and the Chișinău Diocese, combined theoretical subjects with practical training. Students studied religion, reading and writing in Romanian, Slavonic, and Russian, arithmetic and exercises in calculation, world history and geography. The program was complemented by church singing and practical skills such as sewing, embroidery, knitting, as well as household management - baking bread and prosphora, preparing meals and preserves, caring for livestock, and cultivating gardens.

The composite, taken in 1911 at the studio of Z. N. Sumovski in Chișinău, depicts 29 graduates and 13 teachers. At the center are portraits of Bishop Serafim (Ciciagov), headmistress N. R. Mihelson, teacher V. E. Bejerian, and priests F. Ghiliarov and P. Jurikas. Among the teaching staff was Paraskovia Vasilievna Cuciurenko, a calligraphy teacher for 37 years, who in 1911 became senior educator and assistant headmistress. For her dedication, she was awarded the gold medal "For Long Service."

On the reverse of the vignette is a label from the store and workshop of frames, paintings, mirrors, and window glass owned by A. D. Kon'gova, Chișinău, Gogol Street no. 37, near the State Bank.

This graduation composite was donated at the end of 2025 to the National Museum of History of Moldova by the Dadiștian family from Drochia.

Virtual Tour

Events Archive

Art that makes paper come alive

November 11, 2023

Every year on November 11, World Origami Day is celebrated all over the world. On this occasion, the Department of Public Relations and Museum Education of the National Museum of History of Moldova organized two origami workshops for children, their parents and grandparents. For many of them, this was a unique opportunity to learn about the history of this technique, specific to Japanese culture, to create small artistic jewels using only paper.

During the activities, the participants were intrigued by what the finished product would look like and were extremely happy with their creations, achieved through ability, imagination, great skill and, above all, patience. These were later taken home and given with much love to families and friends. Thus, puppies, houses and many cranes came to life, which are the symbol of peace, hope and longevity.

The two workshops demonstrated that origami is both an artistic manifestation and a passion that embraces creative people who want to add more color and relaxation to everyday life, and the satisfaction is sure to live up to their expectations.

At the same time, those present at the event got acquainted with the exhibition "Origami - the World Tree", organized by NMHM in partnership with the Origami Moldova Association, which will be open to the public until November 25, 2023.

#Exhibit of the Month

Vignette of Graduates and Teachers of the Chișinău Diocesan Girls’ School, 1911

Art that makes paper come alive

November 11, 2023

#Exhibit of the Month