#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"

Elena Ploșnița

Museum. Traditionalism and modernity

Biblioteca „Tyragetia” XXXVII, Chișinău, 2022, 210 p. ISBN 978-9975-80-903-0; 978-9975-166-26-3.

The book "Museum. Traditionalism and modernity" is a theoretical reflection on what is a museum institution between traditionalism and modernity. Specific topics that draw up the museum between tradition and modernity are considered. The systematization and analysis of the latest achievements in Moldavian museography has been carried out. Both traditional and innovative processes in the evolution of the contemporary museum as a public institution are traced.

The work is focused on the problems of museums in the Republic of Moldova, the evolution of these institutions over the past 30 years in the dimension between traditionalism and modernity. The main milestones of this evolution are indicated, with many meanings, contradictions, and changes that mark it. In order to present a complete picture of the issue, a systematization and analysis of the latest achievements in Moldavian museography in three specific areas is given, taking into account the specifics of the functioning of a museum: collections, exposition, communication. The book may be of interest to specialists, since for the first time it approaches, in a comprehensive way, the problems of traditionalism and modernity in the museum system of the Republic of Moldova.

The monograph comes as an argument in support of the motivations for reforming and modernizing the traditional museums in the Republic of Moldova, and we hope that it will help museum professionals in the process of internal and external reforming and modernization of the institution. The contemporary museum in the Republic of Moldova remains a traditional one, designed even today as an ordinary institution, but it can become modern only through reform and reorganization, formulating a clear mission and specific goals, through efficient management of collections, by attracting visitors, by developing and implementing national and international projects.

Contents

Preface

1. MUSEUM COLLECTIONS: THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS

1.1. Museum collections management coordinates
1.2. Scientific records for museum cultural values
1.3. Research and classification of museum collections
1.4. Digitization of museum collections
1.5. Nominal assessment of museum cultural heritage

2. MUSEUM EXHIBITION: APPROACHES

2.1. The concept of museum exhibition
2.2. Typology and methods of organizing a museum exhibition
2.3. Permanent exhibition - a traditional necessity or a modern bagatelle?
2.4. Museum exhibition and information technologies

3. MUSEUM AUDIENCES: COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION

3.1. Public relations/museum's relationship with the public
3.2. Traditional and modern museum communication
3.3. Education in a modern museum
3.4. Knowing visitors is a modern imperative

CONCLUSIONS

Bibliography
List of abbreviations
Summary (in English)
Summary
Annexes
Index of names
Index of museums