#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.

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Events Archive

International Festival of Literature and Translation Chișinău – FILIT, 3rd Edition

25–28 September 2025

Between 25 and 27 September 2025, the National Museum of History of Moldova hosted a series of cultural events as part of the third edition of the International Festival of Literature and Translation Chișinău - FILIT, organized in partnership with EUNIC Moldova and other European cultural actors.

The festival opened on 25 September with the official launch of the European Day of Languages, celebrating the continent's cultural and linguistic diversity. This day provided an opportunity for intercultural dialogue, bringing together literary and cultural spaces across Chișinău dedicated to various European countries, each showcasing the richness and diversity of their cultural heritage.

On 27 September, the museum held a series of educational workshops led by curators from the Public Relations and Museum Education Department, focusing on the history of writing. Participants explored the origins of written communication through hands-on activities such as crafting clay tablets and practicing calligraphy with quill and ink. Designed for all age groups, these workshops offered an engaging experience that highlighted the cultural heritage of writing and communication.

Through these activities, FILIT Chișinău reaffirmed its commitment to promoting European cultural dialogue and supporting public access to literary and artistic heritage. The National Museum of History of Moldova was once again confirmed as a vibrant space for education and creativity, integrated into the European cultural network. This edition represented an important opportunity to strengthen cultural ties and encourage the exchange of ideas and practices among diverse communities.