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.
Power, legitimization and propaganda in Imperial Rome
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. I [XVI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică Chișinău, 2007
Undoubtedly, the question of power and its legitimization is very important – both from theoretical and practical points of view. Certainly, the question of power and the process of its legitimization is worth of analysis and presentation not only on the examples of modern societies but also in case of societies in more or less distant past. And so, the prresent article deals with the question of power and its legitimization (especially by different means of propagandsa) on the example of ancient Rome – especially the so-called Principate, i.e. Early Roman Empire (27 B.C. – 284 A.D.). During the Empire, the main purpose of propaganda was to strenhten the position of emperor himself. During the empire all military victories were used also (or even first of all) to strengthen position of the emperor. Namely from such point of view is probably best to analyze such the monuments like the Trajan’s Column in Rome or the monument in Adamclissi (in modern Romania). Such the purposes served also triumphal arches, got instance the triumphal arch devoted to Septimius Severus and his family at Leptis Magna. Undoubtedly, the imperial propaganda proved itself to be a very successful tool of the imperial power, acting together with well trained and equipped Roman army and with very efficient Roman bureaucracy.
Marek Żyromski
The patterns of promotion within the roman army and administration – patronage versus experience and specialization
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Janusz Skoczylas, Marek Żyromski
The stonemasons’ signs in the social and political context
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Marek Żyromski
The army as an important factor of social mobility in Roman Empire
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Jerzy Hatłas, Marek Żyromski
Protoierey Mihail Chakir – orthodox priest, gagauzian spiritual leader and historian (1861-1938) – and the question of emancipation of gagauzians as the independent nation
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IX [XXIV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2015
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.
.jpg)
31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
