#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

The European Night of Museums 2016

European Night of Museums is an international event initiated by the Ministry of Culture and Communications of France. The Council of Europe, UNESCO and The International Council of Museums (ICOM) are the main supporters of the European Night of Museums. Over 4000 museums in Europe have joined this popular and long-lasting cultural event.

The National Museum of History of Moldova participated for the 11th time at the "Museum Night", event that unites museum institutions from Europe and which continue to gain interest from the visiting public.

The event organized on Saturday, 21st May from 12.00 until midnight had as generic „Museum Night 2016 - a cocktail of history, tradition and leisure".

The program included:

• Visiting museum exhibitions - "History and Civilization", "Treasures of the Past", "Weapons and Military Equipment - an Evolution throughout Centuries", "The Ambassador of Transdniestrian Molovata", "Soviet Moldavia - between Myths and the Gulag". The special offer of the Museum Night was the exhibition of porcelain from Hungary - "Shining Herend";

• Exhibition of sketches of technique from the 20th century. In this exhibition, organized especially for the Museum Night were presented 15 models from the museum collection (steam locomotive, aircrafts from the first half of the 20th century, cosmic device for the research of Moon surface, space ship „Soiuz", nuclear submarine, anti-submarine ship, tomato harvester, tractor „Vierul" etc.);

• Display of old and new motorcycles (12.00-18.00, in the courtyard of the museum). A collection of 15 bikes from the 20th and 21st centuries was presented, eight of which were produces in the years 1951-1991 („M-72", „M-61", „K-750", „K-750M", „Dnepr MT-9", „IJ 49", „Jawa 350");

• „CRONOGRAF" at the Museum - projections from the International Documentary Film Festival, 13th edition (14.00-22.40, film library „Clio")

- 14.00 Întoarcerea din modernitate / BACK FROM THE FUTURE (Romania), 48 min.;
- 15.30 Ține, doamne, partizanii, până vin americanii! / GOD SAVE THE PARTISANS AS WE WAIT FOR THE AMERICANS! (Romania), 62 min.;
- 18.30 Variațiuni pe un nume / VARIATIONS ON NAME (Republic of Moldova), 73 min.;
- 20.20 Sărmana de pe Prut / THE WIRED PRUT (Republic of Moldova), 52 min.;
- 21.40 Prizioneri ai fericirii / SLAVES OF HAPPINESS (Republic of Moldova), 56 min.;

• Master-class on clay modeling presented by ceramist Ivan Prividiuc (12.00-19.00, courtyard of the museum):

• Children club (12.00-19.00, courtyard of the museum)
- games and contests with awards;
- Scientific show „Laboratory X", with several entertaining experiments on water;
- „Câinii cu colaci în cozi", performance by the Republican Puppet Theater „Licurici". The actors have delighted both children and adults, carrying them into a world of fairytale;

• Music marathon „Rhythms of Museum Night" (14.00-22.30, courtyard of the museum)
- Galina Maleca and Ethno-folk group „Alină-te dor". The recital included authentic folk songs (14.00-14.30);
- Young talents singing at the museum, among them young performers Crista, Daniela, Dan Spasov and Anastasya and the band „Six Rounds" (16.00-18.30);
- Recital of Choir „Credo" of the Department of Carabinieri of MIA. The choir performed from the museum balcony, creating a totally unexpected music moment of intense emotional experience (19.00-19.15);
- Recital of classic music: String Quartet of Organ Hall. For about one hour the public enjoyed an extraordinary concert, a performance of elegance and virtuosity (20.00-20.55);
- Recital of blues by the band The Blue Dreamers (21.00-22.30).

#Exhibit of the Month

Easter-Themed Postcards

The European Night of Museums 2016

#Exhibit of the Month