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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

Launch of the international photography exhibition World Press Photo 2022

November 9, 2022

On November 9, 2022, the launch of the World Press Photo international photographic exhibition took place at the National Museum of History of Moldova.

The General Director of the National Museum of History of Moldova, Eugen Sava, an institution that has been the host of this event for five years, expressed confidence that the public will appreciate the exhibition at its true value. "These photographic works reach the public because they are made by the best photographers in the world. By the value they represent, with certainty, they can be attributed to the category of genuine works of art. The doors of the National Museum of History of Moldova are open for all photography lovers to admire these works of art," said Eugen Sava.

The Head of the Office of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Chisinau, Floris van Eijk, highlighted the fact that the organization of this event in Chisinau has become a beautiful tradition. "The exhibition is valuable not only because we have the most beautiful photographs on display, but also because they try to tell us something important (...) I am sure that you will find here photographs that say something, that make us think and have a better idea of things. We support the independent press, we support quality journalism from Moldova, and this is an additional reason why we also support this exhibition", said Floris van Eijk.

The Coordinator of the World Press Photo Exhibition, Netherlands, Marika Cukrowski, sent a video message, welcoming the launch of the collection in Chisinau and highlighting the importance of World Press Photo's mission to connect the world to the stories that matter.

Nadine Gogu, executive director of the Center for Independent Journalism, highlighted the increased interest of the public around the world in photojournalism. "A proof of this is the large number of photographers participating in this international competition. The jury certainly had a difficult task because, out of 4,066 photographers from 130 countries, only 24 winners were selected. Their works are part of the heavy category, works that make us think, ask questions and act", said Nadine Gogu.

Photojournalist Nicolae Pojoga noted that although this year's exhibition does not say anything about the war in Ukraine, because the photos were taken during 2021, however, "several explosions before this inhumane conflict" can be felt. "I want to draw the attention of my fellow photographers that we work for justice. Through relevant and responsible photographic documents, we hope to contribute to the justice we all expect", said Nicolae Pojoga.

The winners of the World Press Photo 2022 contest present stories that span a wide spectrum of issues - from the undeniable effects of the climate crisis or the civil rights movements and the right to access education, to the preservation of indigenous practices and identity.

Photography lovers can visit the World Press Photo exhibition at the National Museum of History of Moldova for the next three weeks until November 30.

The event is organized by the World Press Photo Foundation from the Netherlands, in partnership with the Center for Independent Journalism, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Chisinau.



 

 


Independent Moldova
Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic
Bessarabia and MASSR between the Two World Wars
Bessarabia and Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in the Period between the Two World Wars
Revival of National Movement
Time of Reforms and their Consequences
Abolition of Autonomy. Bessarabia – a New Tsarist Colony
Period of Relative Autonomy of Bessarabia within the Russian Empire
Phanariot Regime
Golden Age of the Romanian Culture
Struggle for Maintaining of Independence of Moldova
Formation of Independent Medieval State of Moldova
Era of the
Great Nomad Migrations
Early Middle Ages
Iron Age and Antiquity
Bronze Age
Aeneolithic Age
Neolithic Age
Palaeolithic Age
  
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#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...

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The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2026 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC

 



The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2026 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC

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The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2026 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC