#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

World Press Photo

November 15 – December 6, 2023

Traditionally, in November, the Republic of Moldova will host the World Press Photo International Exhibition. The 2023 edition of this prestigious competition, which recognizes quality photojournalism, will be organized in Chisinau for the seventh consecutive time, but also, for the first time, in Comrat. The two exhibitions are organized by the Center for Independent Journalism (CJI) and the Piko Creative Agency, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Chisinau.

The exhibition, which includes the best photographs taken in the world during 2022, will be launched in Chisinau on November 15, in the premises of the National History Museum of Moldova, and in Comrat on November 22 in the premises of the State University of Comrat.

The World Press Photo 2023 competition was held in six regions around the world - Africa, Asia, Europe, North and Central America, South America and Southeast Asia, and Oceania. The jury finally selected 24 regional winners, of which four global winners were named:

World Press Photo of the Year - "Airstrike on Mariupol Maternity Hospital" by Evgeniy Maloletka for Associated Press;
World Press Photo Story of the Year - "The Price of Peace in Afghanistan" by Mads Nissen for Politiken/Panos Pictures.
World Press Photo Long Term Project - "Battered Waters" by Anush Babajanyan for VII Photo/National Geographic Society.
Open Format World Press Photo - "The Doors Don't Know Me" by Mohamed Mahdy.

The 24 winners and six honorable mentions, whose photographs reflect frontline histories of war, culture, identity, migration, were selected by an independent jury from a total of 60,448 photographs submitted by 3,752 photographers from 127 countries. The winning images of World Press Photo 2023 draw attention to the biggest issues facing humanity today - documenting the war in Ukraine and the impact of the war on civilians, the historic protests in Iran, the realities of Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, the many aspects of the climate crisis in countries such as Morocco, Australia, Peru, Kazakhstan. At the same time, the contest emphasizes the importance of press photography throughout the world.

The regional winners of the World Press Photo Contest 2023 are 24 photographers from 23 countries: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Belgium, China, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Peru , South Africa, Spain, Philippines, Ukraine, United States and Venezuela.

The launch of the exhibition will take place on November 15, at 15:00, at the National Museum of History of Moldova, based on invitations. The general public is invited to discover the stories behind the winning photos between November 16 and December 6, 2023, in Room no. 1 of the National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 street, 121A.

#Exhibit of the Month

Portrait of Mihai Eminescu by Alexandru Gușanov

World Press Photo

November 15 – December 6, 2023

#Exhibit of the Month