#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 work "Monetary circulation in Bessarabia (1812–1944)" and donation of valuable awards by the Academy of Sciences of Moldova to the National Museum of History of Moldova

March 30, 2023

On March 30, 2023, the Academy of Sciences of Moldova organized the presentation event of the book "Monetary circulation in Bessarabia (1812-1944)" written by teacher Marian Bolum from the "Manolache Costache Epureanu" Secondary School in Bârlad, Romania. The volume was presented by Dr. Viorel M. Butnariu, from the Institute of History "A. D. Xenopol" from Iasi, Romania, in the Lecture Hall of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova.

The event moderated by acad. Grigore Belostecinic and Dr. hab. Liliana Condraticova gathered numerous specialists and professionals, such as choir members. of ASM, Alexandru Stratan and Dr. Hab., Prof. Univ. Dragoș Cimpoies, from the Technical University of Moldova and ASM, Ph.D., Prof. Univ. Oleg Stratulat, head of the Investments and Banking Activity Department of the Moldovan Academy of Economic Studies, Dr. Ana Boldureanu and Dr. Elena Arcuș-Jantovan from the National Museum of History of Moldova, Livia Sîrbu, deputy director of the National Museum of History of Moldova, Dr. Sergiu Matveev, Moldova State University, Dr. Teodor Candu, National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History), etc.

Also, during the event, the Academy of Sciences of Moldova handed over a valuable set of awards to the National Museum of History of Moldova, including important medals and badges such as the "Nicolae Milescu Spătarul" medal of ASM, the "Dimitrie Cantemir" medal of ASM, the "Scientific Merit" medal 2nd class of ASM, the "Scientific Merit" medal 1st class of ASM, the badge "Member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova" and the medal "Laureate of the Prize of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova". Livia Sîrbu, NMHM deputy director, thanked the Academy of Sciences of Moldova for this generous donation.

The event took place within the Scientific Platform "Economic Security, Migration and Demographic Transformations" coordinated by acad. Grigore Belostecinic and mem. choir. Alexandru Stratan, members of the Social Sciences, Economic, Humanities and Arts Section of AȘM, launched at ASM, on May 5, 2020, as well as of the Academic Commission "Socioeconomic Security" created by ASM Presidium Decision no. 62 of January 30, 2023.