#Exhibit of the Month

The National Bank of Moldova annually issues commemorative or anniversary coins dedicated to various historical events, prominent cultural and scientific figures, the promotion of heritage and cultural traditions, architectural monuments, the flora and fauna of the Republic of Moldova, etc. A significant place in the coin series of the Republic of Moldova is held by those reflecting key milestones in the formation and development of our country. These coins are the subject of this mini-exhibition:

1-2. 5 Years Since the Proclamation of the Independence of the Republic of Moldova, 100 lei, 1996, AR; W: 28.28 g; D: 38.61 mm; mintage: 1,000 pcs. FB-23252-1,2.
3. 10 Years Since the Proclamation of the Independence of the Republic of Moldova, 100 lei, 2001, AR; W: 31.1 g; D: 37 mm; mintage: 1,000 pcs. FB-24305.
4. 20 Years Since the Proclamation of the Independence of the Republic of Moldova, 100 lei, 2011, AR; W: 31.1 g; D: 37 mm; mintage: 1,000 pcs. FB-29968-3.
5-7. 30 Years Since the Proclamation of the Independence of the Republic of Moldova, set; 50 lei; 2023; AR; W: 20 g; D: 32 mm; mintage: 500 pcs. The coins bear the inscriptions: "A sacred freedom", "My heart is Moldova", "As long as we live on this earth". PMC-423-425.
8. 20 Years Since the Introduction of the National Currency in the Republic of Moldova, 100 lei, 2013, AR; W: 28.28 g; 40 x 28 mm; mintage: 2,000 pcs. FB-29968-2.
9. Anniversary of the National Currency, 50 lei, 2023; AR; W: 31.1 g; D: 37 mm; mintage: 500 pcs. FB-PMC-870.
10. 20 Years Since the Adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, 100 lei, 2014; AR; W: 13.0 g; D: 28 mm; mintage: 1,000 pcs. FB-29968-1.

Virtual Tour

Events Archive

Inauguration of the "Bessarabians in the Gulag" exhibition in GNAS

July 6, 2023

On July 6, the "Bessarabians in the Gulag" exhibition was inaugurated in the Great National Assembly Square, where the shocking testimonies of the victims of the Stalinist deportations from Bessarabia are exhibited. Two train cars, identical to those used for deportations, were brought into GNAS, giving the public the opportunity to get up close to this tragic part of our history.

The exhibition organized by the Government of the Republic of Moldova, in collaboration with the National Museum of History of Moldova, the National Archives Agency and the National Library of the Republic of Moldova, presents authentic and old images that illustrate the unfortunate fate of the deported people. One of the carriages hosts a thematic exhibition with pieces from the National Museum of History of Moldova, including a series of pieces that were part of the exhibition "Remembering childhood, the testimonies of Bessarabian deportees" inaugurated at the Arbor Culture and Arts Association in 2022, curated by Victoria Nagy Vajda. In the other carriage, the documentary film "Siberia in Bones" will be shown, which will be broadcast every day at 18:00 and 20:00.

At the opening ceremony of the exhibition, Sergiu Prodan, the Minister of Culture, emphasized the importance of bringing these wagons not only to the Government, but also to every locality in Moldova. He highlighted that these dramatic images represent the real lives of people and families who were brutally deported. The Minister expressed the wish that, within a year, the Ministry of Culture, with the support of the Parliament and the Government, would help the National Museum of History of Moldova in its efforts to provide support to every museum in the country and, where it does not exist, to establish at least one chamber of memory, so that every locality in the Republic of Moldova has access to this important page of our history.

July 6 marks the Day of Commemoration of the Victims of Stalinism, coinciding with the moment when the biggest wave of Stalinist deportations took place. On the night of July 5-6, 1949, the Soviet regime deported tens of thousands of Bessarabian peasants to forced labor camps in Siberia, confiscating their property. In the period 1941-1951, three waves of deportations took place, and historians' estimates indicate that the total number of deported Bessarabians would be between 80 and 120 thousand. Through this exhibition, we aim to bring to the attention of the public these tragic events of our past and to honor the memory of the victims of these inhuman atrocities.

The "Bessarabians in the Gulag" exhibition is open to visitors from July 6-30, until 21:00.