#Exhibit of the Month

Christmas bells entered the Romanian cultural space through a long process in which archaic traditions blended with Christian belief and European influences. Long before the holiday of Christmas developed as we know it, metallic sounds played an important ritual role in old communities: they were used to drive away evil spirits, to purify spaces, and to protect people during transitional moments at the turn of the year. These beliefs have been preserved in winter customs such as caroling, the Plugușor, and masked dances, where bells and jingles were indispensable.
With the spread of Christianity, the sound of the bell also acquired a profound religious meaning, becoming an announcer of major feasts and a symbol of the Nativity. Small bells, however, were not originally used as decorations but primarily as functional or ritual objects.
The first decorated Christmas tree in the Romanian lands was the one at the palace of Prince Carol I of Hohenzollern, following his arrival in the Romanian Principalities in 1866. From that moment the tradition took root, and on Christmas Eve princes and princesses invited to the palace would take part in decorating the tree. Among the ornaments used were small metal bells, symbolizing joy, the good news, and divine protection for the home.
In the twentieth century, Christmas bells spread across all Romanian provinces and became a visual emblem of the holiday, appearing in both decorations and carols. Even during periods when religious expression was curtailed, bells remained in people's homes as signs of joy and the continuity of tradition. Today they retain this dual meaning: the echo of ancient beliefs and, at the same time, the announcement of the Birth of Christ - a symbol of hope, light, and the link between past and present.
These tinkling pieces are part of a generous heritage collection at the National Museum of History of Moldova (NMHM), which includes more than 200 cultural items. A substantial contribution to the museum's collection of decorative bells was made by Dorina Raischi, a teacher at School No. 94 in Chișinău, who donated 174 bells, of which around 30 are winter-themed. Made of ceramic, porcelain, glass, and metal, they were brought from different parts of the world and together offer a succinct picture of the global culture of bells. They add a festive note to the home and even to a gift, and it is hard to imagine Christmas without their cheerful tinkling.

Virtual Tour

Exhibitions

„Republic of Moldova in philately: history and culture”

Dedicated to the Independence Day

August 25th– September 7th, 2014

Philately, part of cultural inheritance, is and will remain a representative element of the country's image into the world. The stamp, a true ambassador of history and traditions, of cultural, national and universal moral values is rightfully considered at international level one of national symbols along with the flag, coat of arms, hymn and coin.

Exhibition „Republic of Moldova in philately: history and culture”

The body responsible for the issue, circulation and retreat from circulation of postal stamps in the Republic of Moldova from 1992 on, after accession to the Universal Postal Union, is the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications. Printing and publishing philatelic material is charged to the State Enterprise "Poșta Moldovei".

The first postal stamps of Republic of Moldova were issued on June 23^rd, 1991 and were dedicated to the first anniversary of the proclamation of sovereignty, bearing statehood attributes - coat of arms and flag of Republic of Moldova.

Moldova was the first former Soviet country to issue its own stamps. From 1991 to date were issued 875 official marks of Republic of Moldova.

The exhibition reunites many philatelic objects issued between 1991 and 2014 by the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications of Republic of Moldova - postal stamps, booklets and laced sheets, envelopes, postcards, models and essays - stored in the collections of the National Museum of History of Moldova and the State enterprise „Poșta Moldovei".

In the multitude of topics addressed for 23 years, Moldovan philately promoted with honor cultural and historical values. Most representative philatelic objects are part of the exhibition framework. Turning point moments from our history, history and culture personalities, symbolic landmarks and monuments, heritage objects are among the aspects mirrored in the exhibition. Philatelic materials display: the Great National Assembly, election day of the first president of Republic of Moldova, 15 years from accession to UN, 70 years from the first mass deportation wave of Bessarabaians; fortresses of Soroca, Tighina (Bender), Orhei, Hotin, Cetatea Albă, Ismail and Chilia; monasteries of Căpriana, Curchi, Hârbovăț, Japca, Rudi, Saharna and Ţipova; rulers of Moldova such as Alexandru cel Bun, Ştefan cel Mare, Petru Rareș, Mihai Viteazul, Vasile Lupu, Dimitrie Cantemir etc.; eminent personalities such as G. Ureche, Dosoftei, Varlaam, M. Costin, N. Milescu, I. Creangă, M. Eminescu, A. Bernardazzi, M. Berezovschi, A. Mateevici, Pan Halipa, Ş. Ciobanu, G. Vieru, M. Bieșu etc.

Thus, philatelic materials displayed in the exhibition illustrate the true national values that should not be forgotten, as they are what characterize us, define us, and enrich us.

With this exhibition, the public is being offered a small part of the living inheritance of our past and the opportunity to admire the beauty of design, of colors and printing technique of philatelic pieces.

#Exhibit of the Month

Decorative Bells

„Republic of Moldova in philately: history and culture”

Dedicated to the Independence Day

August 25th– September 7th, 2014

#Exhibit of the Month