#Exhibit of the Month

This remarkable portrait of Mihai Eminescu, created by artist Alexandru Gușanov, is based on one of the four known photographs of the poet. The photograph that inspired this portrait was taken in 1869 in Wenceslas Square, Prague, when Eminescu was only 19 years old. The oval composition and harmonious color palette highlight the prominent personality and charisma of the young poet, capturing an expression that conveys both melancholy and intellectual depth.
Alexandru Gușanov (1929-2005), a Moldovan painter of Ukrainian origin, distinguished himself through his extensive work, comprising approximately 5,000 pieces - portraits, landscapes, and still life paintings. Settled in Moldova since 1945, Gușanov graduated from the Republican Art School "I.E. Repin" in Chișinău in 1952. His works were showcased in numerous national and international exhibitions and were highly appreciated in countries such as France, Hungary, Russia, and Yugoslavia. The artist dedicated a significant part of his career to creating portraits of historical and cultural figures, including Dimitrie Cantemir, Mihail Kogălniceanu, and Alexei Mateevici, which are part of the National Museum of History of Moldova's collection.

The subject of the portrait, Mihai Eminescu (1850-1889), is the most significant poet in Romanian literature, whose works reflect profound thought, sensitivity toward nature, and national identity. At the age of 19, when the photograph that inspired this portrait was taken, Eminescu was in the midst of his intellectual formation, preparing to become the iconic voice of Romanian culture. Among his most famous works is the poem Luceafărul (The Morning Star), a masterpiece of universal literature.

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Exhibitions

"Building Bridges Among Communities"

National Geographic Photo Camp

September 5-19, 2023

The National Geographic Photo Camp is a program that teaches young people from diverse communities how to use photography to tell their own stories, explore the world around them, and develop deep connections with others. The second National Geographic Photo Camp in Moldova took place on May 15-19, 2023, in the city of Comrat within the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia. This region in southern Moldova is home to most of the Gagauz community as well as other ethnic groups such as Bulgarians, Ukrainians, and Moldovans/Romanians.

The five-day training was moderated by an international team of four photographers, including one from Ukraine. These experts provided 20 young people (aged 18-25) from refugee communities from Ukraine, the Transnistrian region, and throughout the country with a range of innovative tools and techniques for visual storytelling. This camp also built media literacy skills by giving participants the opportunity to experience firsthand how various factors within their control as creators of visual images (e.g. composition, light, color, mood, etc.) affect the story those images convey.

The young people documented a range of local experiences, traditional museums, family events, the only thoroughbred horse breeding farm in Moldova, the everyday work of carpet weavers, wineries, farmers, bakers, and markets. Guided by National Geographic photographers, the young people created more than 30,000 visual stories, some of which are presented in this exhibition. Feedback from previous camps that Internews and National Geographic have conducted in other countries and environments around the world (including in post-conflict societies, refugee camps, etc.) demonstrates that participants are able to think more critically about how photographs shape viewers perceptions of reality and that exhibition attendees gain a more nuanced view of their own society.

The opening the exhibition will take place on September 5, at 17:00, in Hall no. 1 of the National Museum of History of Moldova, str. 31 August 1989, 121A.

#Exhibit of the Month

Portrait of Mihai Eminescu by Alexandru Gușanov

"Building Bridges Among Communities"

National Geographic Photo Camp

September 5-19, 2023

#Exhibit of the Month