#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

World Refugee Day

June 20, 2023

In the yard of the National Museum of History of Moldova, on June 20, 2023, an event commemorating World Refugee Day was held, organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova and UNHCR. The theme of this year's edition of World Refugee Day - "Hope far from home: a world where refugees are always included" - is extremely relevant in the context of the strong example of refugee inclusion offered by the Republic of Moldova.

"It is also a day when we must recognize a painful reality: we live in a world where there are 35 million refugees. A world struggling to resolve the conflicts, persecution and violence that forces so many people to flee their homes," said UNHCR representative Francesca Bonelli. She added that "it is still an opportunity to remind ourselves that working together is the only way to transform this painful reality into something that ensures a better future for all, regardless of where they come from."

In accordance with the Government's marking of the Year of Ukrainian Culture in the Republic of Moldova, the theme of this year's World Refugee Day commemoration reflects this initiative.

"World Refugee Day is an opportunity to show solidarity with refugees, to recognize their importance and contributions to society, but also to ensure that their rights and dignity are protected," said the Minister of Culture, Sergiu Prodan. He emphasized that "we must recognize that refugees, once given the necessary support and opportunities, have the potential to make significant contributions to their host communities, to enrich the societies in which they seek refuge. As a nation, we have consistently demonstrated our commitment to providing protection and assistance to those in need. Our efforts to provide refuge, resettlement and integration opportunities for displaced people are a testament to our values of compassion, empathy and inclusion."

The event included a performance by the National Youth Orchestra of the Republic of Moldova, with special performances by high-ranking UNHCR supporter Valentina Nafornița and saxophonist Igor Znatokov from Ukraine.

The National Museum of History of Moldova is honored to be the host of such an event and offers support to any initiative to help people in need.