#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.

Virtual Tour

Events Archive

Launch of the volume “Poles in Moldova. History and present”

December 14th, 2015

The book POLONEZII ÎN MOLDOVA. ISTORIE ŞI CONTEMPORANIETATE. CULEGERE DE STUDII ŞI DOCUMENTE " (Poles in Moldova. History and Contemporaneity. Collection of studies and documents) (Chișinău - Poznań - Warszawa, 2015, 368 p.) was released on Monday, December 14^th, 2015 at the National Museum of History of Moldova.

Coordinators of volume: conf. dr. Lilia ZABOLOTNAIA (National Museum of History of Moldova, Academy of Sciences of Moldova); prof. dr. hab. Ilona CZAMAŃSKA (History Department of Adam Mickiewicz University from Poznań, President of Balkan Studies Committee of Academy of Sciences of Poland, chief editor of international journal „Balcanica Posnaniensia").

The event was attended by over 80 persons representing various institutions: Ministry of Culture, State University of Moldova, State Pedagogical University „Ion Creangă", Cultural Heritage Institute, History Institute, National Museum of History of Moldova, representatives of Polish community from Moldova (Polish organizations: Liga Polskich Kobiet, Polska Wiosna w Moldawii, Krakowianka etc.), writers, students etc.

At the event, moderated by dr. hab. prof. Eugen Sava, director of the National Museum of History of Moldova, several guests spoke: H.E. Artur Michalski, Ambassador of Poland in Moldova; dr. hab. prof. univ. Gheorghe Postică, deputy minister of culture of Moldova; dr. hab. prof. univ. Victor Ţvircun, academician-coordinator of Humanities and Arts Section of ASM; H.E. Anton Coșa, Roman-Catholic Bishop of Chișinău; H.E. Mátyás Szilágyi, Ambassador of Hungary in Moldova; dr. hab. prof. Anatol Petrencu, SUM; dr. conf. Ion Gumenîi, dean of History and Philosophy Department of SUM; Vera Petuhova, deputy director of Bureau of Inter-ethnic Relations; Valeria Martin, president of NGO ,,League of Polish Women".

The speakers mentioned the studies regarding the history of Poles in Moldova and secular Moldovan-Polish relations, remarkable people of Polish origin, activity of public organizations of Poles in Moldova etc. It was highlighted in particular the scientific value of the book released for national and international historiography.

Launch of the volume “Poles in Moldova. History and present”

Dr. Lilia Zabolotnaia mentioned this was the third book published with the financial support of the Embassy of Poland in Moldova. This volume is important because it was elaborated as part of a scientific project with the same title. For the first time, for project purpose was engaged an important scientific potential from academic and university environment from Moldova and Poland: Cultural Heritage Institute and History Institute of ASM, NMHM, SUM, Adam Mickiewicz University from Poznań, Katowice University and Krakow University, Institute of Slavic Studies of the Academy of Sciences of Poland etc.

The collection is divided into 3 sections and 22 articles. The volume addresses problems of Polish community in Moldova's history, from Middle Ages to the present. The collection includes a wide range of studies covering different fields: medieval archaeology, numismatics, architecture, art, history, social and dynastic history, political and military history, spiritual life and history of personalities etc. The study is published in three languages: Romanian, Polish and Russian, each article having 4 abstracts.

The volume demonstrates clearly the importance of Poles in Moldovan history.

The publication is addressed to historians, politicians, diplomats, students and to all those interested in and passionate by history.

#Exhibit of the Month

Easter-Themed Postcards

Launch of the volume “Poles in Moldova. History and present”

December 14th, 2015

#Exhibit of the Month