#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

Presentation of the book “History of Bessarabia. Vol. 1: Preludes. From Paleolithic to the end of Antiquity” by Ion Ţurcanu

November 30, 2016

The National Museum of History of Moldova and the Editorial-Polygraphic House „Ştiința" have organized a book launch event on November 30, 2016, in the Blue Room of the museum, with presentation of publication signed by Țurcanu Ion - „Istoria Basarabiei. Vol. 1: Preludii. Din paleolitic până la sfârșitul Antichității" (History of Bessarabia. Vol.1: Prelude. From Palaeolithic until the end of Antiquity), Chișinău, 2016, 868 p. + 32 plates.

The first volume of History of Bessarabia covers a large historical period of Prut and Dniester Rivers interfluves' past - from the early Stone Age, about 1.5 million years ago, until the sunset of the ancient civilization in the 4th-6th centuries AD.

Part I, entitled Stone Age, which commonly is called prehistory and chronologically is the largest historical period, highlights the emergence and evolution of human society with all the complexity of events that characterize it: physical evolution of man, technological progress, great changes in social relations, spiritual culture.

In Part II, Age of Metals, dated between about the second half of 4th millennia BC and the 3rd century BC, known as proto history, introduces Bronze Age cultures in Bessarabia, then describes the Thracian civilization in this region and the presence of the Scythians.

Part III, Classical Antiquity, covers the history of Greek and Roman cities of Tyras and Nikonion at the Lower Dniester, presents testimonies of the Getae-Dacian civilization in it's most developed stage and the habitat of free Dacian from Bessarabia, and temporary stay in this space of migrating peoples. The presentation ends with a description of daily life of the local Dacian-Roman population at the end of Antiquity and the early Middle Ages.

At the book launch event participated dr. hab. Eugen SAVA, general director of the National Museum of History of Moldova; dr. hab. Oleg LEVIŢCHI, director of the Center of Archaeology of the Institute of Cultural Heritage, ASM; dr., assoc. prof. Octavian MUNTEANU, head of Universal History Chair of the State Pedagogical University "Ion Creanga", Larisa CIOBANU, researcher at the Centre of Archaeology of the Institute of Cultural Heritage, ASM; Gheorghe PRINI, director of the editorial-polygraphic house „Știința"; researchers, museographers, scholars and artists.