#Exhibit of the Month

The Chișinău Diocesan Girls' School opened its doors on May 3, 1864, addressing a pressing need: in Bessarabia there were no institutions dedicated to the education of clergy's daughters. According to the 1864 circular, teaching was conducted in the Romanian language, a provision applied throughout the diocese. The school's first headmistress was Anastasia Rizo, of noble origin, invited by Archbishop Antonie.

The curriculum, approved by the Ministry of Public Education and the Chișinău Diocese, combined theoretical subjects with practical training. Students studied religion, reading and writing in Romanian, Slavonic, and Russian, arithmetic and exercises in calculation, world history and geography. The program was complemented by church singing and practical skills such as sewing, embroidery, knitting, as well as household management - baking bread and prosphora, preparing meals and preserves, caring for livestock, and cultivating gardens.

The composite, taken in 1911 at the studio of Z. N. Sumovski in Chișinău, depicts 29 graduates and 13 teachers. At the center are portraits of Bishop Serafim (Ciciagov), headmistress N. R. Mihelson, teacher V. E. Bejerian, and priests F. Ghiliarov and P. Jurikas. Among the teaching staff was Paraskovia Vasilievna Cuciurenko, a calligraphy teacher for 37 years, who in 1911 became senior educator and assistant headmistress. For her dedication, she was awarded the gold medal "For Long Service."

On the reverse of the vignette is a label from the store and workshop of frames, paintings, mirrors, and window glass owned by A. D. Kon'gova, Chișinău, Gogol Street no. 37, near the State Bank.

This graduation composite was donated at the end of 2025 to the National Museum of History of Moldova by the Dadiștian family from Drochia.

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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

Vignette of Graduates and Teachers of the Chișinău Diocesan Girls’ School, 1911

Dragobete Day at National Museum of History of Moldova

February 23, 2015

#Exhibit of the Month