#Exhibit of the Month

We find ourselves in the month of April, as we prepare to celebrate Easter-a moveable religious holiday rich in festive rituals and ceremonial activities that place this event at the very heart of Christian spiritual life. The spirit of the Resurrection is beautifully complemented by ten Easter-themed postcards from the heritage of the National Museum of History of Moldova, printed a century ago. These pieces were added to the museum's postcard collection over a decade ago following a successful acquisition; as the fund for Easter-themed illustrations is modest, we are in a constant search for new additions.

These postcards are "extraordinary" in terms of their postal, typographical, and chromatic effects-the primary reason for revisiting this genre of greetings. Unlike "classic" postcards, these are smaller in size (6.5 cm x 11 cm), made of cardboard (with the exception of one piece made of photographic paper in black and white), and feature "vivid" colors. Printed in Romania and Germany, they bear the marks of having been sent and circulated through the post.

The name of the holiday originates from the verb persach, meaning "to pass," a term adopted by the Jews from the Egyptians. It entered the Romanian language through the Byzantine-Latin form Paschae, signifying the "passage through death to life, the victory of life, and liberation from the bondage of sin." Easter is a holiday of tolerance and forgiveness, representing a bridge between the present and the past. The significance of this celebration is conveyed through its symbols, which are also featured on these postcards: Hand-painted eggs, the Easter Bunny and the Lamb, traditional sweet breads (cozonac and pască), biblical scenes related to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Easter table also features pască-a ritual food reminiscent of ancient, bloodless "reconciliation" sacrifices. Its preparation is the exclusive task of women, the givers of life, as the leavened dough is considered "alive."

The most significant component of the Easter holiday, however, is the Light. The Ceremony of the Holy Light is associated with the miracle of the light appearing on Easter Sunday at Christ's Tomb in Jerusalem. The candle, often depicted in these images, carries a powerful message; it is with the Resurrection candle that we return home after the midnight religious service. Furthermore, the Easter Bunny represents the rebirth of nature, so eagerly awaited after a harsh winter.

Unlike Christmas, when the announcement and ritual integration of the community into sacred time was the duty of caroling groups, at Easter, "one does not go from house to house." Instead, the ritual meal is organized within each family, symbolizing a direct communion with God.

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Opening of the exhibition Romanian Jewelry Week - Chisinau 2023

18-31 August 2023

On August 18, 2023, the National Museum of History of Moldova hosted the opening of Romanian Jewelry Week, a special edition of the event that marked an important stage in the collaboration between Romania and the Republic of Moldova in the field of contemporary jewelry. This innovative initiative, organized by Assamblage in partnership with NMHM, was made possible thanks to the support of the Romanian Cultural Institute through the Cantemir Program, a program to support cultural projects of international impact.

At the opening of the event, prominent representatives of the cultural and diplomatic community spoke, Eugen Sava, General Director of NMHM, Valentina Buzămurgă, founding member of Assamblage, Cristian-Leon Țurcanu, Ambassador of Romania to the Republic of Moldova, Monica Babuc, Director of the Romanian Cultural Institute at Chisinau and David Sandu, curator of the exhibition.

The National Museum of History of Moldova will host for two weeks an impressive and captivating exhibition in which more than 50 renowned artists and designers from Romania and around the world have brought together exceptional works of jewelry art. This exhibition includes not only the presentation of jewelry, but also special activities such as openings, guided tours, conferences and workshops, all aimed at the general public.

Among the exhibiting artists and designers were international personalities in the field of jewelry, coming from various countries such as Romania, Republic of Moldova, Italy, USA, France, Portugal, Germany, Ukraine and South Korea. Also, two capsule exhibitions organized by Slovenian Jewelry Week and Legnica Silver Festival in Poland added value to the event, offering a wider perspective on contemporary jewelry creation.

The event was possible thanks to the joint effort of the organizers, Assamblage and the National History Museum of Moldova, and financial support from the Romanian Cultural Institute through the Cantemir Program.

Special thanks to the media partners for their support in promoting the event: Radio Guerilla, Aici a Stat, Curatorialist, Curatorial.ro, Dreamingof.net, Designist.ro, ELLE, Empower Artists, Feeder.ro, Festivalier, Igloo, IQAds, Lost in Jewelry Magazine, Femeia, Modernism.ro, Revista Atelierul, Revista Golan, The PR Station, The Institute, Zeppelin, Zile și Nopți, Călătorii cu Gust și TVR Moldova.

#Exhibit of the Month

Easter-Themed Postcards

Opening of the exhibition Romanian Jewelry Week - Chisinau 2023

18-31 August 2023

#Exhibit of the Month