#Exhibit of the Month

Among the Greek mythological figures, there is a satyr (Ancient Greek: Σάτυρος), also called Silenus, a male spirit of nature and forest, known to be the companion of the gods Pan and Dionysus. Satyrs were imagined as dancing in the fields, drinking wine with Dionysus and chasing maenads and nymphs. According to the descriptions in myths, they had human-like upper part of the body and the horse-like or goat-like legs, and also a long and bushy tail.

Gradually, animalistic features in the image of a satyr recede, their lower limbs become human (legs, not hooves). The satyr Marsyas (Μάρσιας) plays a special role in Greek legends. Sometimes the god Pan is depicted in the guise of a satyr.

The historian Hesiod tells us about their origins, mentioning that satyrs are wine lovers, and legends also claim that it was the satyrs who saved Ariadne (Aριαδνη), the daughter of King Minos from Crete, who was abandoned by her lover Theseus (Θησεύς) on the island of Naxos (Νάξος).

It is believed that satyrs have tremendous strength and endurance, and also love music, and one of their main attributes is the flute. Also among the attributes of satyrs there are the thyrsus, vessels for wine, and wineskins.

The figurine of a satyr from the NMHM collection is unique. It is made of bronze and has a height of 17 cm. The figurine is made in a stylized manner, the character is presented in a standing position, as if he is holding something in his right hand, and his left hand is damaged. The left leg is also not completely preserved. Some researchers consider it to be the handle of a vessel (possibly of a cup). Certainly, the object had a symbolic character.

We assume that this artifact belongs to the period of Classical Greece and dates back to the 4th century BC.

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National Museum of History of Moldova

Events Archive

Interactive visit for children with hearing disabilities

September 25, 2019

Each year, the museum dedicates the last week of September to supporting the social inclusion of young people with hearing disabilities. On September 25, 30 children from the Professional School no. 11 for children with hearing disabilities, from Chișinău, spent together unforgettable moments at the museum.

Even if deafness is a disability that is not visible, young people who have such deficiencies are exposed daily to the risk of not being accepted by society. Most of them had attended special institutions, starting with kindergarten, where they were assisted by professionals of the gestural language. In order to be able to work, most of these persons would need the support of an interpreter of mimicry and gestures. In the Republic of Moldova, only nine specialists in mimicry are authorized for about 5000 people with hearing problems. One of them was invited at the activity organized by the museum to facilitate the children's access to the information displayed in the museum.

There is no way of telling exactly what they liked the most, however the children showed great interest during all three hours spent in the museum. First, they were challenged to mold a prehistoric handmade clay vessel, to spark between two stones and to weave using a weaving installation. Being students at a vocational school, they showed great skill in everything, proving that the deed is worth much more than the word. After that, the children gathered together the pieces from a big puzzle, and the big surprise made by the museum was visit of the volunteers of the Color Party, who taught the children to model puppies and flowers from balloons, and painted the visitors on face and hands in their favorite colors.

This day brought sunshine to the museum. The happiness of the children is encouraging and motivating us to organize such interactive visits more often, because History makes no difference between its descendants. We hope that such activities will raise public awareness, and spread inclusive practices in other public institutions.

The museum always has wide open doors for everyone.