#Exhibit of the Month

Christmas bells entered the Romanian cultural space through a long process in which archaic traditions blended with Christian belief and European influences. Long before the holiday of Christmas developed as we know it, metallic sounds played an important ritual role in old communities: they were used to drive away evil spirits, to purify spaces, and to protect people during transitional moments at the turn of the year. These beliefs have been preserved in winter customs such as caroling, the Plugușor, and masked dances, where bells and jingles were indispensable.
With the spread of Christianity, the sound of the bell also acquired a profound religious meaning, becoming an announcer of major feasts and a symbol of the Nativity. Small bells, however, were not originally used as decorations but primarily as functional or ritual objects.
The first decorated Christmas tree in the Romanian lands was the one at the palace of Prince Carol I of Hohenzollern, following his arrival in the Romanian Principalities in 1866. From that moment the tradition took root, and on Christmas Eve princes and princesses invited to the palace would take part in decorating the tree. Among the ornaments used were small metal bells, symbolizing joy, the good news, and divine protection for the home.
In the twentieth century, Christmas bells spread across all Romanian provinces and became a visual emblem of the holiday, appearing in both decorations and carols. Even during periods when religious expression was curtailed, bells remained in people's homes as signs of joy and the continuity of tradition. Today they retain this dual meaning: the echo of ancient beliefs and, at the same time, the announcement of the Birth of Christ - a symbol of hope, light, and the link between past and present.
These tinkling pieces are part of a generous heritage collection at the National Museum of History of Moldova (NMHM), which includes more than 200 cultural items. A substantial contribution to the museum's collection of decorative bells was made by Dorina Raischi, a teacher at School No. 94 in Chișinău, who donated 174 bells, of which around 30 are winter-themed. Made of ceramic, porcelain, glass, and metal, they were brought from different parts of the world and together offer a succinct picture of the global culture of bells. They add a festive note to the home and even to a gift, and it is hard to imagine Christmas without their cheerful tinkling.

Virtual Tour

Publications

Albums

Eugen Sava, Aurelia Cornețchi, Elena Postică, Elena Ploșnița

National Museum of History of Moldova 1983-2013

Series “Albums” I, Chisinau, 2013. 191 p. ISBN 978-9975-80-811-8.

Founded in 1983, the National Museum of History of Moldova has become over the years a cultural and scientific institution with recognized identity, an important segment of the national memory. Ever since its creation, the museum has permanently pleaded for protection, scientific and public use of historical-cultural heritage; it became scene of specialist scientific debate, lead and created rules in Moldovan museography, proposed and promoted law projects in this field, various legal acts, promoted continuously a cultural and scientific dialogue, always campaigned for exhibition accessible to a large public.

Nowadays, the museum holds an important place in the hierarchy of Moldovan museum system given the contribution to the development of Moldovan museology gradually evolving into an institution with individuality and given its attitude towards the public which is supporting the museum and perceiving it as part of daily culture.

At the end of 2013, the National Museum of History marked the 30^th anniversary from its foundation. The anniversary was marked by the publication of the Album National Museum of History of Moldova 1983-2013. The work was inspired by the respect for the museum and its audience, by the knowledge of national values and the need to present and promote the museum institution. Also, the album is a tribute to all those who through their concerns have contributed to the creation and development of the National Museum of History. The album is an intellectual achievement worthy for the documental history presented.

Printed with hardcover, the content of the volume illustrates key moments and events relating to the organization and development of the museum over 30 years. The album is structured in several sections: Foreword, Short history, Heritage, Exhibitions, Scientific activities, Cultural-educational events, Personnel. Regarded as a whole, the album represents a valuable contribution to the development of Moldovan museology. The volume contains around 170 images reflecting museum's various activities, development of the institution during its 30 years of existence and shows the most significant museum exhibits displayed in the permanent exhibition, in temporary exhibitions and preserved in museum collections. The pictures are of good graphic quality. The images were used by authors to present the museum's past and present.

The reader enters the museum world with the Forward signed by dr.hab. Eugen Sava, general director of the museum, which presents shortly the foundation, evolution and significance of this museum institution. Each compartment is distinguished by a unique design developed by Ivan Litsiuk. The album was prepared by dr. hab. Eugen Sava, Aurelia Cornețchi, dr. Elena Postică, dr.hab. Elena Ploșnița.

The album is a new contribution to a deeper knowledge of Moldovan museological past, an intellectual achievement worthy of note by documentary value and usefulness of the approach in general.

Published in 2013 at the publishing house Bons offices from Chișinău, the album is intended for all those interested and passionate by museum and heritage, wherefore all texts are given in three languages: Romanian, English and Russian. .

Elena Ploșnița