#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.

Virtual Tour

Services

Admission to Exhibitions

Entrance fees:

General Admission:

Adults - 50 lei
Pensioners, students - 20 lei
Pupils - 10 lei

Free admission:
Preschool children (under 7 years old), Children from residential institutions, Children with disabilities (under 18 years old) and their companions,Adults with severe and accentuated disabilities (disability degrees I and II), Conscripts, Official and cultural delegations (within the museum's operating hours), Employees of the national museum network, the Ministry of Culture, and national cultural heritage institutions, Holders of ICOM and ICOMOS cards.

Free entry for all visitors: the last Thursday of the month.

Closed: Monday and on January 1, 7, and 8; March 8; the first and second day of Easter; May 1 and 9; August 27 and 31; October 14; December 25.

Guided Tours

The museum offers guided tours in Romanian, Russian, and English upon request for organized groups or individual visitors (groups of 5 to 30 people). Tours must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance by phone (022240426) or email (muzeuldeistorie@gmail.com), specifying the date, time, group profile and size, and preferred language.

Guided Tour Fees:

For a group of 5 to 30 people:
Adults - 150 lei
Students, pupils, pensioners - 100 lei

Guided tours in foreign languages (Russian, English):

Adults - 300 lei
Students, pupils, pensioners - 200 lei

Free guided tours:
For children from residential institutions and military conscripts.

Educational Activities

Fees (per hour):

Educational Workshops - 20 MDL
Interactive Lessons - 20 MDL

Photo and Video Filming in the Museum

Photographing/Scanning Museum Pieces

For a museum piece - 250 MDL
For reproduction of a piece, commercial publications - 1000 MDL
Special video/photo shoots in museum rooms
(per hour) - 1500 MDL

Photography or photocopying of the Museum exhibit items by juridical persons is possible only with the permission from the Museum administration, obtained in written form.

Specialized assistance

Selection of textual and illustrative material from the Museum's Heritage - 30 MDL

Approval of exhibition documentation (for one author's sheet) 500 MDL

Expert Examination of Cultural Values

• in the Museum: 150 MDL for an object;
• within the city limits: 300 MDL for an object;
• outside the city: additionally includes the traveling and accommodation costs, at the expense of a client

Library

The Museum Library’s collection includes more than 10,000 books on a wide range of subjects, such as archaeology, history, museum studies, and scholarly reference works of interest to the Museum staff. The Library is also available to the public.

Costs:

to borrow a book: 5 MDL / a day;

Rent of Museum Space

The 1^st floor hall and the temporary exhibition room may be rented for temporary exhibitions, scientific and cultural events. For additional information and reservations, contact the Accounts Department, by phone: + 373 (22) 23-82-69, or the Deputy Director for Public Relations, by phone: + 373 (22) 23-83-13.

Museum Shop

In the Museum Shop can be purchased publications concerned archaeology and history of Moldova, exhibition catalogues, booklets and museum guides, and replicas of exhibit items are available.