#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.

Virtual Tour

Events Archive

The closing event of the "Artifact from Your Locality" project

December 20, 2024

On December 20, 2024, at the National History Museum of Moldova, the closing event of the "Artifact from TA locality" project took place, which aimed to disseminate the research of the National Cultural Heritage in the rural communities of the Republic of Moldova, through a series of educational activities and valorization of local historical artifacts.

Eugen Sava, dr. hab., the general director of the museum, Gheorghe Postică, prof. Dr. hab., head of the History, archeology and museology section within MNIM, Valeria Suruceanu, administrator of ICOM Moldova and Livia Ermurachi, project coordinator.

All the speakers highlighted the positive impact of the project on the conservation, promotion and transmission to the general public of cultural and historical values and emphasized the essential role of collaboration between heritage experts, public institutions and local communities in ensuring sustainable cultural education.

During the event, the launch of the project brochure took place, the scientific publication containing the main results obtained from the project. The booklet includes detailed descriptions of the 24 artefacts selected and utilized by the project, as well as documentation of the activities carried out within the communities involved. The material represents both an educational resource and a testimony of the process of conservation and promotion of the National Archaeological Heritage.

In recognition of the efforts made, the organizers awarded diplomas of appreciation to the partner institutions and the people involved in the realization of the project. Among them are specialists in archaeology, teaching staff, volunteers and representatives of the local public administration, whose input was essential for the success of the initiative.

The "Artifact from TA locality" project demonstrated the importance of valorizing the National Cultural Heritage as a central element of the identity of local communities and the education of the young generation, strengthening the connection between history, culture and society.