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.
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Domed tombs are a perfect type of burial tholos constructions characterizing the Thracian world. The first domed tomb was discovered in 1851 (Rozovets village, near Plovdiv), so this year marks 160 years since the beginning of the study of such monuments. Besides the fact that this type of sites revealed a particularly rich in artifacts material that allowed researchers to clearly define the formation and evolution of the Thracian civilization, they have also set the start point of the archaeological science in the Balkans as well as of the phenomenon actually called Thracology. Based on the fact that the basic information on the domed tombs research has already been published (Hatłas 2005), the authors decided to offer an updated catalogue containing all the discoveries of the Thracian tholos constructions dated from the 5th - 3rd centuries B.C.
Octavian Munteanu
Élements defensifs dans la fortification gete du Horodca Mare, districte Hâncești
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IX [XXIV], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică Chișinău, 2015
Jerzy Hatłas
The tracian tumulus at Opalchenetz – 80 years later (Some remarks on the question of rich female tombs in ancient Thrace)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Octavian Munteanu
Les etapes d’édification de la fortification de Horodca Mică
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Octavian Munteanu
Nouvelles découvertes défensive dans l'ouest du promontoire Butuceni, Orhei (Recherche archéologique en 2015)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. X [XXV], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Jerzy Hatłas
The Bulgarians in Transnistria
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
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 National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.