#Exhibit of the Month

The work In Memoriam. In Memory of the Heroes Who Fell at the Nistru (1992) was developed within the Center for Culture and Military History and published under the auspices of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, the Bureau for Reintegration, and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova. Authors: Gheorghe Bălan, Vitalie Ciobanu, Gheorghe Cojocaru.

This work provides a retrospective of the events that led to the outbreak of the war on the Nistru, accompanied by photographs of the heroes who lost their lives in the battles to defend the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova.

On March 2, 1992, the political conflict in the Nistru region escalated into a true fratricidal war. Under the fabricated pretext of "defending Russia's southern borders," political adventurers from the former Soviet metropolis encouraged Transnistrian separatism by arming secessionist paramilitary groups. At the same time, thousands of mercenary Cossacks and prisoners released early from jails, along with tanks and missiles, were sent against Independent Moldova, in a desperate attempt to revive the fallen empire.

Russia's undeclared war against the Republic of Moldova left behind hundreds of dead and wounded, shattered families, and villages in ruins. More than 50,000 peaceful residents from the conflict zone were forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge from the horrors of war.

For the sake of freedom and the future, Moldova's defenders faced death, enduring the hardships and humiliations of war.

During the Nistru war, 198 soldiers of the National Army and 89 personnel from the Ministry of Internal Affairs lost their lives, while 40 combatants went missing without a trace, and nearly 300 were left disabled.

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Exhibitions

"Rașcov – Through Centuries and History"

November 22 – December 6, 2024

The National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the Belarusian Cultural Center in Moldova and the Agency for Interethnic Relations, invites you to the opening of the exhibition "Rașcov - Through Centuries and History" on November 22 at 3:00 PM, in the upper-level hall of the museum.

This exhibition offers an artistic and historical perspective on a village located on the banks of the Nistru River, boasting a cultural heritage spanning over 900 years.

The first documented mention of Rașcov dates back to the 14th century, a period when the lands on the left bank of the Nistru were part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In 1402, the fortress "Kalaur" was listed among the cities and castles of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, near which the settlement of Rașcov developed. By the 17th century, Rașcov had become an important commercial hub.

Over the centuries, Rașcov witnessed the harmonious coexistence of various ethnic and religious communities, each contributing to the town's economic and cultural development. At different times, Moldovans, Russians, Ukrainians, Jews, Poles, and Armenians called Rașcov home.

The exhibition features the works of artist Veaceslav Ignatenco, a member of the Union of Plastic Artists of Moldova and the Union of Designers of the USSR. Ignatenco, a recipient of the Francis Skaryna Medal (2015) and the honorary title Master of Arts (2019), draws inspiration from Rașcov's landscapes and history. His creations vividly depict the interplay between nature, architecture, and the region's cultural diversity. Each piece reflects the deep connection between humanity and its environment, as well as the indelible mark of history on this unique place.

The works, created by the artist over the years, highlight various significant historical landmarks, such as St. Cajetan Church (1749), one of the oldest Catholic churches in Moldova, The Orthodox Church of the Protection of the Mother of God (1740), The Holy Trinity Church (1779), and the impressive Red Rock, a symbol of the region.

The exhibition "Rașcov - Through Centuries and History" will be open to visitors from November 22 to December 6, 2024, at the National Museum of History of Moldova, Chișinău, 31 August 1989 Street, No. 121A.