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.
The findings of belts in the complexes of XIII-XVI centuries in the Carpathian-Balkan region
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
The article considers the findings of belts made in the traditions of European Gothic art in the complexes of XIII- XVI centuries in the Carpathian-Balkan region.The unique belt decorated with the image of St. George was found in the Republic of Moldova. The belts ornamented with vegetable and geometrical patterns dominate in the Romanian hoards. A few number of belts decorated with zoomorphic patterns were found in the Romanian treasures as well. The belts with images of animals (lizards, dragons, lions) were typical for the territory of Bulgaria. The examples with engraved vegetable ornament or anthropomorphic images were known also. In the Carpathian-Danube region the “Gothic belts” were the accessories of male dress mainly, in spite of Western Europe where these belts were typical both male and female.
List of illustrations: Fig. 1. Belts fragments. Old Orhei (Republic of Moldova) (after Bacumenco 2006). Fig. 2. 1-8 - Fragments of the belt set, Orbeasca (Romania) (after Dumitriu 2001); 9 - reconstruction of the belt, Kerepesi (Hungary) (after Kralovánszky 1955); 10 - buckle, Curtea de Argeș (Romania) (after Dumitriu 2001). The scales are different. Fig. 3. Details of belt set. Schinetea (Romania) (after Alaiba 2002). Fig. 4. Details of belts sets: 1, 2 - Belorechenskaya (Russia) (after Крамаровский 2001); 3-12 - Olteni (Romania) (after Dumitriu 2001). The scales are different. Fig. 5. Details of belt sets. Dolišče (Bulgaria) (after Павлова 2007). Fig. 6. Details of belt sets. 1-3 - Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria), 4-6 - Dolišče (Bulgaria) (after Павлова 2007). The scales are different.
Екатерина Абызова, Светлана Рябцева
Buckles from the collection of the National Museum of Archaeology and History of Moldova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. I [XVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2007
Екатерина Абызова, Светлана Рябцева
Medieval belt and bag fitting finds from Echimauti site of ancient settlement
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Светлана Рябцева
On some ornaments and clothing accessories of the populations from the Carpathian-Danubian space in the 14th-17th centuries
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IV [XIX], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
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.