#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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Events Archive

Exhibition Opening: "Friends Through Photography"

December 6, 2024

On December 6, 2024, the National Museum of History of Moldova hosted the opening of the exhibition "Friends Through Photography," a project created in collaboration with 20 young people from Moldova and Ukraine. After six months of creative work, these talented participants presented a series of photographic works that reflect the essence of friendship and human connections.

The exhibition features 12 captivating photographic works that capture essential moments of friendship, unity, and solidarity, delivering a powerful message about the strength of human relationships, especially in the current context of relations between Moldova and Ukraine.

This project was made possible through a program supported by Terre des Hommes - Moldova and the Youth Media Center, as part of the initiative "Strengthening Support for Refugee Children and Youth."

Among the notable works are: "Our Friendship," a photograph taken in front of the monument of Ștefan cel Mare, symbolizing the strong bond between two friends who supported each other during challenging times and "Help and Connection," which captures the interactions of the participants during shared activities, highlighting the desire for integration and the building of lasting relationships.

Each photograph is accompanied by personal stories from the authors, emphasizing the vital role of friendship in overcoming challenges and fostering genuine human connections.

The event brought together photography enthusiasts and offered an opportunity to reflect on how photography can influence understanding and connection between people. The atmosphere was filled with emotion and joy, marking the success of a creative collaboration that united young people from two neighboring countries.

The exhibition "Friends Through Photography" is open to the public until December 20, 2024, in the ground-floor hall of the National Museum of History of Moldova, located at 31 August 1989 Street, No. 121A, Chișinău.