#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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Publications

Library „Tyragetia"

Simion CARP, Ghenadie CHIRIŢA, Terentie CARP, Ecaterina GÎRBU

Military traditions (past, present, future)

Series Biblioteca „Tyragetia” XXII, Chișinău, 2013, 375 p. ISBN 978-9975-80-703-6.

The authors of the volume Military Traditions (past, present, future) set as main aim to collect, to select, to arrange, to analyze, to highlight and to synthesize, as much as possible, all documentary resources and to include in the scientific circuit the military traditions, the military deeds, the military art, the actions of bravery, courage and spirit of sacrifice shown by our predecessors on the battlefields for the soldierly glory and honor.

The work, as conceived by the authors, covers the main aspects of military tradition issues. Its primary objective is to introduce into the scientific, educational, didactic and cultural circuit the old military traditions, and to synthesize and rebuild, on their base, a contemporary fight style absolutely necessary to the military-patriotic orientation of young generation and for the creation of a new national school of close fight.

The military history of predecessors was rebuilt on a rich documentary material identified in various categories of resources (written, ancient and medieval resources, bas-reliefs, wall painting etc.) collected with big competence and which highlight real possibilities for the use of soldierly glory for patriotic education of students and future defenders of the fatherland.

The publication presents studies in fields of history, culture, traditions, military art, pedagogy with well argued conclusions and synthesis, with highlighted concepts framing into the national ideas - a very important thing for our fellow citizens from the republic and from abroad. In the book are depicted certain events, wars, military conflicts which do not feature in history textbooks, by presentation of new archival data, war letters, list of Bessarabians participants at wars from the end of 19th - beginning of 20th centuries and of notorious personalities that contributed to the evolution of history and national and universal culture. Also, are described and analyzed military traditions and war tactics that were included in the history of universal military art. The portrait of our fellow citizen with his positive traits is presented into a special plastic paradigm.