#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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Events Archive

Presentation of the Volume “Heydar Aliyev: 100 Moments from Life”

May 27, 2026

At the National Museum of History of Moldova, the book "Heydar Aliyev: 100 Moments from Life" was presented, published in the official language of the Republic of Moldova. The event was organized at the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Ulvi Bahshaliyev, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Moldova. The author of the work is academician Emil Nasirli, member of the International Academy of Sciences.

The presentation was attended by prominent figures from Moldova's public, political, and cultural life, including the second President of the Republic of Moldova, Mr. Petru Lucinschi, Minister of Culture during 2013-2019, Mrs. Monica Babuc, former Ombudsman and Chair of the Public Chamber, Mrs. Aurelia Grigoriu, President of Azmol Group SRL, Mr. Vugar Novruzov, as well as Mrs. Olga Andranovici, Deputy Director of the National Museum of History of Moldova.

In his address, Ambassador Ulvi Bahshaliyev emphasized the importance of publishing the volume in the official language of the Republic of Moldova, noting that this will allow a wide readership to become familiar in detail with Heydar Aliyev's historical contribution to the building of the modern Azerbaijani state. A special highlight of the program was the speech of Mr. Petru Lucinschi, who recalled memories of his collaboration with Heydar Aliyev both during the Soviet period and in the years of independence, underlining the friendly atmosphere that characterized his official visits to Azerbaijan.

Other guests also shared their impressions of the book and the archival materials included, which reflect key moments in the life of the Azerbaijani leader. The event served as an opportunity to reaffirm the cultural and diplomatic ties between the Republic of Moldova and the Republic of Azerbaijan.