#Exhibit of the Month

We find ourselves in the month of April, as we prepare to celebrate Easter-a moveable religious holiday rich in festive rituals and ceremonial activities that place this event at the very heart of Christian spiritual life. The spirit of the Resurrection is beautifully complemented by ten Easter-themed postcards from the heritage of the National Museum of History of Moldova, printed a century ago. These pieces were added to the museum's postcard collection over a decade ago following a successful acquisition; as the fund for Easter-themed illustrations is modest, we are in a constant search for new additions.

These postcards are "extraordinary" in terms of their postal, typographical, and chromatic effects-the primary reason for revisiting this genre of greetings. Unlike "classic" postcards, these are smaller in size (6.5 cm x 11 cm), made of cardboard (with the exception of one piece made of photographic paper in black and white), and feature "vivid" colors. Printed in Romania and Germany, they bear the marks of having been sent and circulated through the post.

The name of the holiday originates from the verb persach, meaning "to pass," a term adopted by the Jews from the Egyptians. It entered the Romanian language through the Byzantine-Latin form Paschae, signifying the "passage through death to life, the victory of life, and liberation from the bondage of sin." Easter is a holiday of tolerance and forgiveness, representing a bridge between the present and the past. The significance of this celebration is conveyed through its symbols, which are also featured on these postcards: Hand-painted eggs, the Easter Bunny and the Lamb, traditional sweet breads (cozonac and pască), biblical scenes related to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Easter table also features pască-a ritual food reminiscent of ancient, bloodless "reconciliation" sacrifices. Its preparation is the exclusive task of women, the givers of life, as the leavened dough is considered "alive."

The most significant component of the Easter holiday, however, is the Light. The Ceremony of the Holy Light is associated with the miracle of the light appearing on Easter Sunday at Christ's Tomb in Jerusalem. The candle, often depicted in these images, carries a powerful message; it is with the Resurrection candle that we return home after the midnight religious service. Furthermore, the Easter Bunny represents the rebirth of nature, so eagerly awaited after a harsh winter.

Unlike Christmas, when the announcement and ritual integration of the community into sacred time was the duty of caroling groups, at Easter, "one does not go from house to house." Instead, the ritual meal is organized within each family, symbolizing a direct communion with God.

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Events Archive

International Museum Day
"Museums for Education and Research"

May 18, 2024

The National Museum of History of Moldova had the honor of hosting one of the most important events in the life of the world museum community - International Museum Day. This year's event, held under the banner "Museums for Education and Research", took place on Saturday, May 18, 2024, between 10:00 and 18:00.

Throughout the day, visitors had the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities and surprises specially prepared for this occasion. The program included:

Within the museum:

- 10:00-18:00 - Free Visit to the museum's permanent and temporary exhibitions.

- 11:00-12:00 - Living Exhibit - a museum project using artificial intelligence to detect and describe exhibits, presented by students from IPLT "Gheorghe Asachi", winners of the "Engineering Excellence" Award at the FIRST LEGO League Challenge Moldova 2024.
Location: nr. 9 (Bronze), floor

- 12:00-13:00 - Tactile Music - an installation generating contemporary music sounds through tactile touch, presented by winners of the "Engineering Excellence" Award at the FIRST LEGO League Challenge Moldova 2024, students from IPLT Da Vinci, Chisinau.
Location: nr. 8 (Medieval), floor

- 13:00-14:00 - Guided Robot - a museum hall model where a guide robot offers both remote and disability-friendly tours, presented by students from IPLT "Gaudeamus" Chisinau, winners of the "Innovation Project" Award at the FIRST LEGO League Challenge Moldova 2024.
Location: nr. 6 (Red), floor

- 15:00-16:00 - Museum in Reflected Reality - holograms, soap bubbles, luminescent algae, programmable LEDs, presented by students from IPLT "Mihai Stratulat" s. Boscana, Criuleni, winners of the "Perseverance" Award at the FIRST LEGO League Challenge Moldova 2024.
Location: Cinemateca "Clio", floor
- 15:30-16:00 - Opening of Temporary Exhibition "Dialogue in Space and Time. Exhibition of Chinese Costume Culture" organized by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Chisinau.
Location: nr. 1 (Parter), floor

- 16:00-17:00 - Virtual Reality Workshop organized by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Chisinau:
- Interactive activities: Chinese knot, cutting Chinese paper, calligraphy;
- Demonstrations: guzheng (Chinese musical instrument), Kung Fu (Chinese martial art).

- 17:00-18:00 - Musical Concert supported by the brass band of the "Alexei Stârcea" School of Arts, artistic leader and conductor: Mihail Lisii

In the courtyard of the museum:

13:00-15:00 - "Technological evolution in space and time. Prehistory" - interactive activities and Cucutenian drawings.
13:00-18:00 - "Technological evolution in space and time. Medieval era" - activities supported by the Association of Historical Reconstruction clubs from the Republic of Moldova "Bastion".
13:00-13:30 - Opening of the exhibition "A history of the oldest inhabited city in Romania - Constanța", organized by the Museum of National History and Archeology Constanța.
16:00-17:00 - Workshop organized by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, including interactive activities and cultural demonstrations.
17:00-18:00 - Music recital performed by the marching band of the "Alexei Stârcea" School of Arts.

International Museum Day, celebrated annually on 18 May, serves as a global platform for promoting the role of museums in cultural exchange and development. This year's edition emphasized the importance of education and research within museums, inviting visitors to rediscover the innovative and traditional role of these institutions.
Thanks to all partners and participants who contributed to the success of this event. We look forward to seeing you at the National Museum of History of Moldova to continue exploring and learning together!

Event partners: Aridon Group, First Lego League Moldova, Constanța National History and Archeology Museum, Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Moldova, "Alexei Stârcea" School of Arts, "Bastion" Association of Historical Reconstruction Clubs from the Republic of Moldova.

Media partners: Diez, Locals, TVR Moldova, Călătorii cu Gust, Aquarelle Magazine, Aquarelle FM, TV Moldova1
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at our next events!

#Exhibit of the Month

Easter-Themed Postcards

International Museum Day "Museums for Education and Research"

May 18, 2024

#Exhibit of the Month

International Museum Day
"Museums for Education and Research"