Topic-related exhibition occasioned by Romanian Army Day inaugurated in Moldovan capital

Chisinau, 25 October /MOLDPRES/ – It was inaugurated a thematic exhibition entitled: The Unknown Hero of Romania, organised by the Embassy of Romania in Moldova, on the occasion of the Romanian Army Day at the Centre for Culture and Military History (CCIM) in Chisinau.
The event was attended by the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Defence, Vladimir Iliev, the Romanian Ambassador to Chisinau, Daniel Ionita, Defence, Military and Air Defence Attaché of Romania in Moldova, Colonel Cristi Ladaniuc, Director of CCIM, Colonel Vitalie Ciobanu, director of the National Military Museum in Bucharest, Petre Neata, other official persons.
The exhibition includes 34 panels with photos and documents dedicated to the commemoration of the Romanian heroes.
Interviewed by agency, the collaborator of the National Military Museum in Bucharest, Valeria Balescu, mentioned that the Unknown Hero of Romania is the quintessence of all national sacrifices that sacrificed over the great ideals of justice, freedom, unity, independence and sovereignty. "The history of this institution can be identified with that of the whole country. The unknown hero was named after WW I after the accomplishment of Great Romania, after WW II, following the Communist persecution, and his honour was rehabilitated after the historical events of December 1989", specified Valeria Balescu.
According to the quoted source, the designation and burial of the Unknown Hero was made during the ceremonial military and religious ceremonies held on 14 – 17 May 1923.
"The actual appointment ceremony of the Unknown Hero took place on the land of Marasesti, given the resonance of victories on this front of WWI. For this, until 12 May 1923, there were brought to the Assumption Church of Marasesti, ten coffins with unknown heroes, representing all the major fronts in the country. Thus, the Unknown Hero of Romania could be one of those brought on the fronts of Moldavia: Marasti, Marasesti, Oituz (Ciresoaia), Poieni (Targu Ocna), Basarabia from Chisinau, or unknown heroes brought from Ciucea (Transilvania), Rasovita (for the front of Jiu), Balaria (Vlasca), Azuga (Prahova) or Topraisar – for the front of Dobrogea", said Valeria Balescu.
During the event, the Romanian Ambassador to Moldova, Daniel Ionita, handed to the Romanian Army veterans certificates of participation in WWII and the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Vladimir Iliev – military decorations.
On the same day, a military ceremony to commemorate the Romanian heroes fallen during WWI took place at the Orthodox Central Cemetery in Chisinau.
The exhibition is open until 23 November.
(Reporter N. Roibu, editor A. Raileanu)