Exhibition of small bells iunaugurated at Moldova's National Library

Chisinau, 2 January /MOLDPRES/ - An exhibition of small bells titled, The Sound of Winter, has been inaugurated at the National Library of Moldova (BNRM) on the last days, on the occasion of the winter holidays.

The exhibition displays about 60 small bells from Moldova, China, Egypt, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, the USA, as well as other countries. These bells are from personal collections of Veronica Postovan, Elena Ivascu and Tatiana Prodan.  

Contacted by MOLDPRES, the head of the BNRM old and rare book section, Veronica Cosovan, said that such an exhibition was staged at the library for the first time ever. ‘’We thought to organize, on the occasion of the winter holidays,  an interactive, unusual exhibition, putting small bells on the forefront, as they are  objects which, by their sound, bring the atmosphere and spirit of the winter holidays. The bells presented at this exhibition are made of various materials: bronze, copper, ceramics, porcelain, glass, etc. Their shapes are quite unusual: cat, Santa Claus, angels, etc. We have also personalized small bells, one being from Romania, dedicated to Saint Nicholas. We also have a small bell from China, with a fragment from the Chinese Wall on it, as well as a Buddhist small bell,’’ the exhibition’s curator said.     

According to Veronica Cosovan, the bells have a quite old history – they were first recorded more than 7,000 years ago. ‘’While in the beginning, the bells had the purpose of preventing, foretokening or defence, at present, over 30 purposes of these objects are registered. Their purpose of choir is most spread. Presently, we cannot imagine the winter holidays without a jingling of a small bell,’’ Cosovan said.    

The small bells appeared in Egypt for the first time. In the Romanian area, they started being used beginning with the year 360. Initially, the bells were used at churches, then the cow bell appeared and vesper bell – in monasteries. The small bells were used in community to announce different important events. Presently, they represent a symbol of purification; it sounds at the New Year night and they say that the small bells’ jingling brings luck.  

The exhibition will be opened till 15 January.