#Exhibit of the Month

The artifact is a battle axe made from magmatic rock (diabase) of gray-brown color. It was accidentally discovered in 1966 within the territory of Aluniș village, Rîșcani district. Based on its morphological characteristics, the artifact can be attributed to the Catacomb culture (29th-22nd centuries BCE).

The axe features a massive, elongated naviform body with slightly pronounced shoulders, a short and narrow edge that is flat and circular in cross-section. The blade is slightly curved. The hole was drilled in the maximum width of the object. It is circular in shape with a diameter of 2.2 cm. The surface of the artifact is meticulously polished, worked with great care, and shows no signs of damage or chipping.

Dimensions: Length: 20.0 cm; Maximum width: 8.4 cm; Edge diameter: 5.0 cm; Blade width: 7.0 cm; Weight: 2.3 kg.

Stone battle axes are characteristic of the Catacomb culture communities and are most often found as grave goods, deposited in tombs. Their presence in funerary complexes suggests a multifaceted functionality: weapons, social symbols, and ritual objects. Initially used as weapons, the axes became social symbols for their owners, later acquiring votive significance when deposited in tombs to serve the deceased in the afterlife.

The social symbolic function of stone battle axes is indicated by the high-quality rocks used for their manufacture and the exceptionally meticulous craftsmanship. The large dimensions of the axe from Aluniș support this hypothesis and distinguish it from other examples.

The discovery of stone battle axes outside a funerary complex may indicate their votive deposition. It is difficult to imagine that these exceptionally well-crafted pieces, made from high-quality rocks transported over great distances, could have been abandoned or lost accidentally. It is far more likely that they were deposited for magical-religious purposes, a possibility that may also apply to the stone axe discovered at Aluniș.

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Events Archive

National Anthem Day of Romania in the Republic of Moldova

July 28, 2023

The YUFest association organized for the first time, in Chisinau, the event "National Anthem Day of Romania in the Republic of Moldova". The event took place on Friday, July 28, 2023, in the premises of the National Museum of History of Moldova and gathered guests from both countries to celebrate the common Romanian identity.

The event started with a press conference in the Great Union Hall, where notable speakers were present, including Andrei Fermeșanu, manager and soloist of the Romanian National Opera in Iasi, Prof. Univ. Dr. Adrian Cioroianu, General Manager of the National Library of Romania, Livia Sîrbu, Deputy Director of the National Museum of History of Moldova and Lia Anton, president of the YUFest Association, organizer of the event. They discussed the importance of the national anthem in preserving and promoting the Romanian identity in the Republic of Moldova and emphasized the role of the event in strengthening the ties between the two countries.

After the press conference, the participants had the opportunity to enjoy a unique concert performed by "Corul Marii Uniri", a male choral ensemble from Iași, led by maestro Andrei Fermeșanu. The concert repertoire included historical songs that have served as Romania's national anthem for decades, such as "Triumphal March and Reception of the Flag and His Majesty the Reigning Prince" (1862), "Long Live the King" (1884), "Shackles Broken" (1948), "We glorify you, Romania" (1953), "Three colors" (1977) and "Wake up Romanians!" (1991-present). The audience enjoyed the emotional interpretation of these musical pieces that have a special symbolic and patriotic charge.

The event ended with a reception, where guests had the opportunity to taste local wines and continue the dialogue in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere. The participants appreciated the efforts of the YUFest Association in organizing this memorable event and expressed the hope that such cultural events will continue to contribute to strengthening the relations between Romania and the Republic of Moldova.

The event is organized by the YUFest Association and financially supported by the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova, within the project "The national anthem, the symbol of Romanian unity!", with the aim of preserving, developing and affirming the ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic identities of the Romanians in the Republic Moldova, as well as strengthening ties between Romania and the Republic of Moldova.

#Exhibit of the Month

Stone Battle Axe Discovered at Aluniș, Rîșcani District

National Anthem Day of Romania in the Republic of Moldova

July 28, 2023

#Exhibit of the Month