#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

Inauguration of the exhibition "Chisinau: an unknown history"

January 12, 2023

On January 12, 2023, at the National Museum of History of Moldova, was inaugurated the exhibition dedicated to the National Day of Culture, entitled "Chisinau: an unknown history".

The exhibition was carried out by the Archeology Sector of NMHM and brings together an important number of documentary materials illustrating the historical past of Chisinau. The absolute majority of these materials are part of the NMHM collections and constitute a true historical-cultural treasure that allows the objective reconstruction of the city's past. Brought to light as a result of archaeological research in the last decades, they highlight unknown aspects of the history, culture, demography, social, economic and political relations of Chisinau from all times, starting with prehistoric times, passing through the ancient and medieval periods and reaching the premodern period.

At the beginning of the event the General Director of NMHM, dr.hab. Eugen Sava, highlighted the role of this exhibition in promoting the knowledge and study of the history of the city of Chisinau. Mr. Eugen Sava drew attention to the importance of safeguarding the archaeological sites and preserving the discovered vestiges, given that they can provide us with unique information regarding the history of the city and the people who have lived here over the centuries.

In her speech, Mrs. Angela Cutasevici, the Deputy Mayor of the cultural branch of the Chisinau City Hall, thanked NMHM for the contribution brought to the discovery, restoration and presentation to the general public of the pieces from the exhibition. Mrs. Angela Cutasevici also noted the importance of archeology in order to research the history of the city of Chisinau and that Chisinau City Hall is open and supports the actions taken on this subject.

Dr. Mark Tcaciuc drew attention to the fact that the pieces in the exhibition not only present pages from the history of the city, but also describe how our predecessors lived, what lifestyle they led or how they spent their free time. Mr. Mark Tcaciuc opined the idea that Chisinau does not owe its development exclusively to the Tsarist Empire, but that the city had a history and urban development in the periods leading up to the events of the 19th century, a fact that the archaeological pieces discovered tell us about. Although Chisinau has gone through various periods throughout history, it has always survived and preserved its identity.

Mr. Dr. Ion Tentiuc, in his speech, told about the history of archaeological discoveries in the city of Chisinau and highlighted the fact that our city contains numerous sites that must be researched and exploited. Mr. Ion Tentiuc told about the research carried out at Valea Morilor, the Mazarache Church, the Armenian Church, the Old Square and other important places in the city, which brought to light precious data about our city.

The curator of the exhibition, Mrs. Dr. Natalia Mateevici, presented to the general public the sections of the exhibition, which, in addition to archaeological remains, also contain documentary materials on the history of the city of Chisinau. Mrs. Natalia Mateevici thanked everyone involved in making this beautiful exhibition and noted that this exhibition is not only about Chisinau but also about its people, whether they are natives of the city or recently arrived here, but for whom Chisinau has become the city of their hearts.

"Chisinau: an unknown history" can be visited between January 12 and June 1, 2023 in Room no. 1 (Ground floor) of the National Museum of History of Moldova, Chisinau, str. 31 August 1989, 121A.