#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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The scientific-practical seminar "The system of administration of archaeological heritage in the museums of the Republic of Moldova"

June 14, 2023

On June 14, 2023, in the Blue Hall of the National Museum of History of Moldova, took place the scientific-practical seminar "Archaeological Heritage Management System in the Museums of the Republic of Moldova", organized in collaboration with the National Archaeological Agency and under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova.

The event, which took place as part of the European Days of Archaeology, brought together museum institutions subordinated to local public authorities in the Republic of Moldova. Participants had the opportunity to interact and learn from established specialists in the field of archaeology, who brought up current issues regarding the protection and enhancement of archaeological heritage.

The seminar was divided into two main sections. In the first section, the specialist communications were supported by the following experts:

Dr. hab. Gheorghe Postică addressed the topic of archaeological heritage from the perspective of local museums in the Republic of Moldova, Dr. Vlad Vornic discussed the current issues of protecting archaeological heritage and national legislation, Dr. Sergiu Popovici reported on the current status of the register of archaeological sites in the Republic of Moldova, Dr. Ion Tentiuc supported a case study entitled "The local museum and archaeological research in the town of Chisinau", and Dr. Vasile Iucal, the director of the Museum of History and Ethnography in Ungheni, discussed the experiences and problems in capitalizing on the mobile archaeological heritage at the Museum of History and Ethnography from Ungheni.

The second section of the seminar was dedicated to free discussions between researchers and representatives of local museums regarding the archaeological heritage management system. The participants had the opportunity to discuss the identification, protection and promotion of archaeological heritage, the formation of an electronic database, the preservation and exhibition of archaeological heritage, the synthesis of archaeological heritage, the ways of collecting movable archaeological artifacts in local museums, as well as the role of museums in combating archaeological poaching and in the identification and protection of archaeological sites.

The seminar represented a valuable opportunity for learning and exchange of experience between specialists in the field of archeology and local museums. The participants had the opportunity to consolidate their knowledge, explore innovative approaches and identify ways to improve the archaeological heritage management system in the museums of the Republic of Moldova.