#Exhibit of the Month

Buckles (paftale) are an almost indispensable element of traditional women's dress in the Southeastern European area, particularly in the Balkans, and have been in use over a long period, from the 14th to the 20th century.
The word pafta is of Turkic origin-possibly entering the language via Iranian influence-derived from the Persian word bafta, meaning "woven," which evolved in Turkish to signify "plate." Today, the term is used in nearly identical forms in Romanian (pafta), Bulgarian (пафта), Serbian (пафте), and some Aromanian dialects (pafta), designating functional and ornamental clothing accessories used to fasten belts, girdles, or sashes, crafted from various materials and decorated using different techniques.
The three buckles decorated in the polychrome enamel technique, preserved in the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova, belong to the South-Danubian tradition and are dated to the late 19th - early 20th century.

Each buckle consists of two identical trapezoidal parts, their surfaces divided into three roughly equal registers, adorned with stylized vegetal motifs forming a metal lattice into which enamel is poured. The two parts extend into sharp angles at the ends, forming a triangle with the edge of the last decorative register, similarly ornamented. The enamel used to fill the floral motifs is black, turquoise, white, orange, green, yellow, and burgundy. The entire decorative field is framed by a beaded border.

On the reverse, both components retain a copper band riveted along the edge, used to fasten the ends of the belt. The fastening system, made by interlocking the hinges of the two parts and secured with a movable pin attached by a chain to a clasp fixed on one of the buckle pieces, is concealed by a rectangular plate (riveted with three pins to the body of the piece), with narrow edges ending in sharp angles, decorated in the same style and technique. Additionally, it features three circular settings with notched edges bent inward to hold centrally placed red and green glass paste. These settings are framed by a radiant, notched band.

The symbolism of the color palette encodes meanings and symbols, chosen for their believed magical powers. Red has always represented love, affection, and protection against curses and the evil eye; white symbolizes purity and spiritual and physical cleanliness; blue is symbolically associated with infinity, morning, new beginnings, and transformation; green represents destiny, hope, prosperity, balance, and rebirth, being linked to nature's revival each spring and to life itself.

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Dragobete Day at National Museum of History of Moldova

February 23, 2015

On the eve of traditional Romanian holiday Dragobete, the National Museum of History of Moldova organized in partnership with Esthetic Education Center „Lăstărel" and Theoretical Lyceum „Mircea Eliade" an event to honor ancestral cultural values, traditions and customs.

The Romanian version of „Valentine's Day" traces its origins to Dacians and to the belief in a god of love whose celebrations marked also the beginning of spring.

Feast of love and spring at the museum included a literary-musical show entitled „Dragobete kisses girls" performed by artistic groups of Esthetic Education Center „Lăstărel", pupils from the Republican Music Lyceum „Ciprian Porumbescu", Theoretical Lyceum „Mircea Eliade" and Theoretical Lyceum „Iulia Hasdeu".

On this occasion, in the Blue Room of the museum, where the event took place, was organized an exhibition of origami, which completed the festive atmosphere.

Program of literary-musical show „Dragobete kisses girls"

1. Welcome word by presenters Valeria Bârcă and Alexandru Iarovoi.
2. Performance by Group of whistlers „Mugurașii" from the Esthetic Education Center „Lăstărel" with a bouquet of songs, conductor Valeriu Mereuță:
- „Ciobănașul"
- „Rapsodia Română Nr.1 de George Enescu"
- „Trandafir de la Moldova".
3. Legend of Dragobete. Reciters: Victoria Stratulat and Cristian Moșoi.
4. Dragobete - symbol of spring. Presentation by: Alexandra Nicuță.
5. Scene „Dragobete - pupă fete". Performers: pupils from 12th grade from TL „Iulia Hașdeu", professor Eugenia Martea.
6. Romanian traditions and customs for Dragobete. Presentation by: Laura Gherman and Gabriela Chiperi, TL „Iulia Hașdeu" .
7. Music song „Ionel cu pălărie". Performance by: Sorin Culeac, Esthetic Education Center „Lăstărel".
8. Dance „Waltz". Performance by: Victorița Stratulat and Bogdan Cociurca, TL „Mircea Eliade".
9. Music song „Doi ochi căprui". Performance by: Andreea Cojocaru, TL „Mircea Eliade".
10. Poetry „Dragobete" by Viorica Pop. Recites: Mihaela Bargan, TL „Mircea Eliade".
11. Latino dances. Performance by: Victorița Stratulat and Bogdan Cociurca, TL „Mircea Eliade".
12. Poetry „Ce este amorul" by Mihai Eminescu. Recites: Valeria Bîrcă and Alexandru Iarovoi.
13. Violin solo. Valeria Graur, RML „Ciprian Porumbescu".
14. Music song „Iubirile nu mor". Performance by: Sârbu Nicoleta, RML „Ciprian Porumbescu".
15. Music song „Dacă ploaia s-ar opri". Performance by: pupils from 6th grade from RML „Ciprian Porumbescu".
16. Music song „E de necrezut". Performance by: Sârbu Nicoleta, RML „Ciprian Porumbescu".
17. Maxims about love. Reciter: Nicolae Grigoriță, RML „Ciprian Porumbescu".
18. The dance „Joc de sărbătoare". Performed by: group of modern dance „Boom Dance", Esthetic Education Center „Lăstărel". Conductor: Valentina Zagorscaia, Emeritus; ballet master: Elena Guțu; concert master: Irina Bogaciova.
19. Closing speech. Larisa Bardier, head of section, NMHM.

Dragobete Day at National Museum of History of Moldova

#Exhibit of the Month

Buckles Decorated in the Polychrome Enamel Technique

Dragobete Day at National Museum of History of Moldova

February 23, 2015

#Exhibit of the Month