#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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Opening of the exhibition "Ovi D. Pop: My Romania"

December 1, 2023

Between December 1-15, the National Museum of History of Moldova has the honor of hosting an exceptional exhibition of the Romanian photographer Ovi D. Pop, entitled "Ovi D. Pop: My Romania".

Born in Oradea on April 9, 1973, Ovi D. Pop is a photographer with over 20 years of experience, tackling various genres of photographic art, including portraiture, nude, aerial photography and monuments. With an impressive portfolio, he is the director of the "Duran's" Publishing House in Oradea, where he published 7 illustrated monographs of Bihor county, as well as other notable works.

Since the beginning of the 2010s, Ovi D. Pop has also dedicated himself to artistic photography, obtaining outstanding distinctions at the national and international level, including the title of MAFR (Master of the Romanian Association of Photographers), E.FIAP/g (Excellence de Fédération Internationale l'Art Photographique) with gold rank and MPSA (Master of the Photographic Society of America).

His photographs have been awarded more than 2,300 awards, including 640 gold medals, first place and trophies in 91 countries. These creations have been exhibited in numerous cities in Romania and around the world, reflecting the diversity and talent of the photographer.

Presented by Ovi D. Pop, the exhibition offers viewers a captivating foray into his native country, capturing its essence and diversity through his sensitive eyes and lens. The exhibition is a celebration of special moments, light and shadows, captured in a unique and personal way.

The opening on 1 December marks the official opening of the exhibition, giving the public a chance to interact directly with the works and the artist.

The exhibition will be open to the public from December 1-15, 2023, on the fence of the National Museum of History of Moldova, str. 31 August 1989, 121A, Chisinau.

#Exhibit of the Month

Vignette of Graduates and Teachers of the Chișinău Diocesan Girls’ School, 1911

Opening of the exhibition "Ovi D. Pop: My Romania"

December 1, 2023

#Exhibit of the Month