#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

European Night of Museums 2026

23 May 2026

On 23 May 2026, the National Museum of History of Moldova celebrated the International Museum Day and the European Night of Museums, under the theme "Museums as Bridges in a Divided World". The event unfolded in a festive and interactive atmosphere, offering free access to the museum's permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as a rich program of cultural, educational, and artistic activities.

Between 10:00 and 24:00, visitors were invited to the opening of the exhibition "Memory of War" and the exhibition "One Museum, Dozens of Cultures, a Thousand Stories", two highlights encouraging reflection on memory and cultural identity.

Early in the day, guests took part in workshops on plate painting, textiles, and origami, and explored the projects of the champions of FIRST LEGO League Challenge Moldova 2026. The creative atmosphere was further enriched by the photo zone "Guardians of Peace" and the book launch by Victoria Fonari.

The musical program, supported by the Embassy of Ukraine, the "Eugen Doga" Music School, the Republican High School of Music "Sergei Rachmaninoff," and other institutions, added emotion and harmony to the evening.

Visitors also explored the interactive "Map of Europe" through virtual journeys, quizzes, and activities organized by Europe Café. Peace Corps Moldova volunteers organized interactive workshops for the international public and actively supported the successful unfolding of the event. Meanwhile, the museum courtyard and the ground hall hosted workshops by: Confucius Institute ULIM - calligraphy workshops, tea ceremony, and Chinese knotting; Adam Mickiewicz Library - bracelet-making workshop and insights into Polish traditions; Indo-Moldo Business & Cultural Organisation (IMBCO) - Indian culture through henna painting (mehndi) and sari draping.

The "Bastion" Association recreated the atmosphere of the Middle Ages with archery, the bailiff's tent, and a mini-exhibition of medieval artifacts, attracting history enthusiasts.

The evening concluded with a musical and choreographic performance by the ALCOR Social Dance Studio and the Department of Choreographic Art of the Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts, bringing to the stage the energy and beauty of dance as a universal language.

The European Night of Museums 2026 at NMHM brought together over 16,000 visitors in a multidisciplinary experience, reaffirming the museum's role as a space for dialogue, education, and cultural interaction. Through its diverse program - from workshops and exhibitions to musical and choreographic performances - the event demonstrated that museums can serve as bridges between generations, cultures, and traditions.