#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

Opening of the Exhibition "German Colony Emmental – Artistic Reflections"

September 17, 2024

On September 17, 2024, at the National Museum of History of Moldova, the exhibition "German Colony Emmental - Artistic Reflections" was inaugurated. The event brought to the forefront the history of the German settlers in Bessarabia, explored through artworks reflecting the life, traditions, and heritage of this community. The exhibition provided an opportunity to rediscover the deep connection between historical past and artistic present, evoking significant moments from the history of the German community that settled in the region 210 years ago.

On the occasion of the opening, Dr. hab. Eugen Sava, Director of the National Museum of History of Moldova, emphasized the importance of this exhibition in preserving and promoting the historical and cultural heritage of the German settlers in Bessarabia. Veaceslav Repcinschii, director of the Agency for Interethnic Relations, highlighted the German community's contribution to the region's cultural diversity and the importance of cooperation between cultural institutions to keep this heritage alive. Father Dr. Petru Ciobanu brought attention to the historical and cultural dimensions of the German settlers, underscoring the impact of their values on Bessarabia's cultural landscape.

Representing the commune of Pervomaisc, Mrs. Iana Suhan, director of the local cultural center, spoke about the deep connection between the local community and German traditions, providing a brief history of the commune. Museum curator Lucia Marinescu, responsible for organizing the exhibition on behalf of the National Museum of History of Moldova, gave a detailed presentation of the exhibited works, explaining how they capture the essence of life and traditions of the settlers from Emmental.

In her closing remarks, Antonina Casap, the author of the exhibited works, offered an in-depth insight into her artistic process, explaining how personal experiences and her connection to the history of the German community in Bessarabia influenced the creation of this collection. She emphasized that each artwork represents a dialogue between past and present, and the themes addressed, from rural landscapes and specific architecture to portraits of settlers, reflect not only the community's cultural heritage but also her attempt to keep their memory alive.

The exhibition "German Colony Emmental - Artistic Reflections" will remain open to the public until October 9, 2024, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the history of the German community in Bessarabia through the paintings of Antonina Casap.