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 Gagauz in the context of the Romanian-Turkish relations in the period from 1918 to 1940: History and personalities
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IX [XXIV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2015
Abstract
The article first introduces unknown documents from the archives of Turkey, Romania and the Republic of Moldova related to the "Gagauz problem" in the context of the Romanian-Turkish relations. The authors have paid attention mainly on the education field, where Turkish cultural and ideological influence was the most noticeable. In the dissemination of the policy of the Turkish identity among the Gagauz in Bessarabia, Turkish government largely relied on Gagauz intellectuals and the youth. Therefore, Turkish teachers Zahit Mehmet Boztuna, Hasan Belal Kilic Ahmed Mehmed, Sali Ismail, Osman Abdullah, Ali and Bayram Cantarelli, and others were sent to Gagauz villages. They had an appropriate authorization from the Romanian Ministry of National Education to teach Turkish language for two hours a week and provided the training in the Gagauz and Bulgarian-Gagauz villages of Comrat, Congaz, Kubey, Chadir-Lunga, Congaz, etc. According to some reports, their activities were funded from the Turkish and partly from the Romanian budget. At the same time, the Turkish government encouraged Gagauz young people to enter secondary, high and specialized secondary schools in Ankara and Istanbul. Students were guaranteed a hostel, training for the budget account and scholarships. The article reflects a huge role of the Turkish Ambassador in Romania Hamdullah Subhi Tanriyover (1931-1944), who initiated and conducted most of the work on the organization of Turkish language teaching in Gagauz villages, provision of textbooks and teacher training.
List of the illustrations (photographs from St. S. Bulgar's personal archive): Fig. 1. The Turkish Ambassador in Romania Hamdullah Subhi Tanriyover (1931-1944). Fig. 2. Turkish teacher Osman Abdullah and his wife Anastasia (Sakally). Kubey village, 1940. Fig. 3. School-leaving certificate of Semen Vasilyevich Donchev (born in 1931) from the village of Cîrlaneni, signed by the school director Ali Cantarell (former teacher of Turkish language). 20.08.1946. Fig. 4. Gagauz students during studying in the Men's Teacher Training College. Istanbul, 1939. Fig. 5. Gagauz students with the teachers during the studies in the Men's Teacher Training College. Istanbul, 1939. Fig. 6. Building of a male school. Istanbul, 1930s. Fig. 7. Sleeping quarters of a male school. Istanbul, 1930s. Fig. 8. Gagauz students while studying in the Men's Teacher Training College. Istanbul, 1938. Fig. 9. The order signed by the President of Turkey Atatürk: the admission to study at the Galatasaray High School. Istanbul, 1934. Fig. 10. Building of the Galatasaray High School. Istanbul, 2014. Fig. 11. Magazine "VARLIK" (1939, ѡ 139), which published the works of folklore collected by P. Zavrak in Gagauz villages of Bessarabia. Fig. 12. Brothers Pyotr and Dimitry Zavrak (left to right). Turkey, 1941. Fig. 13. Intellectuals of Vulcanești village with representatives of the Romanian authorities in 1939 (Irina Bulgar stands in the second row, third from right). Fig. 14. Emin Mutaf (George Mutafov), Vice President of the Aegean University in Izmir, Turkey. 1960s. Fig. 15. Vasily Chebanov (Özdemir Chobanoglu) while studying in the Bolgrad Grammar School (in center, in a white hat). 1937. Fig. 16. Vasily Chebanov (Özdemir Chobanoglu). Fig. 17. Letter from Hamdullaha Subhi Tanryѐver to Özdemir Chobanoglu (Vasily Chebanov). 04.28.1964. Fig. 18. Teacher's Certificate issued to Özdemir Chobanoglu (Vasily Chebanov) by the Ministry of Culture of Turkey in 1939. Fig. 19. Musicologist and composer Veysel Arseven (Vasily Ёkyuzchyu) with his family. Ankara, Turkey, 1960s. Fig. 20. Director of the Galatasaray High School Ali Kaigy (George Kaikeyi). Istanbul, 1965. Fig. 21. From the personal file of the French language teacher Ali Kaigy (George Kaikeyi), Galatasaray High School. Istanbul, 1965. Fig. 22. Undocumented immigrants, issued to Mete Kargalyk (Dimitry Gargalic) in 1940 in the Republic of Turkey. Fig. 23. Certificate of assigning an oҌcer rank, issued to Mete Kargalyk (Dimitry Gargalic) after service in the Turkish army. 1947.
Ivan Duminica
The policy of the Russian Empire aimed at the granting of privileges to Bulgarian colonists in Bessarabia in the first half of 19th century
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], 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.
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31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
