Conference Concept

CHISINAU POGROM – 120 years. Relevance of study and historical memory

Venue: Moldova State University

Dates: 15-16 November 2023

Historical background 

In 1903, a pogrom took place in Kishinev, what is today the Moldovan capital of Chisinau, that would forever alter the course of Jewish history. On the eve of Passover, the Russian-language newspaper Bessarabets, headed by nationalist leader Pavel Krushevan, accused Jews of a "blood libel," claiming that they had committed the ritual murder of a Christian child. The official investigation proved the guilt of a close relative of the child, but it was too late, and a pogrom took place on 19-20 April (6-7 April according to the Julian calendar). 49 people were killed, 586 people were wounded, one third of all homes and hundreds of Jewish shops in Chisinau were destroyed during the Pogrom.

The legacy of the Kishinev Pogrom was enormous. Occurring at a time when photography was on the rise, images of the Pogrom appeared in newspapers around the world making it among the first widely photographed acts of violent antisemitism. The Pogrom brought international awareness of the persecution of Jews in Imperial Russia thereby convincing early Zionists of the importance of their cause and the creation of several Jewish humanitarian and defense organizations. It also led to large-scale emigration from Russia to other parts of Europe and both North and South America. 

The Kishinev pogrom of 1903, occurring at the very beginning of the 20th century, became a horrifying forerunner of the Holocaust.

Relevance of the conference

120 years is already a significant reason. After all, 120 is a significant date in Judaism and Jewish culture. Moldova is a multinational country in which issues of national self-identification have traditionally always been relevant. Moldova's status as a candidate for EU membership has made discussions about national identity and the values of the historical past even more topical. This conference is an opportunity to make the themes of Moldova's Jewish past, present and ultimately future part of these discussions. 

As such, this conference would bring together researchers and professional specialists on Jewish history, museums, education, prevention and counteraction to antisemitism, heritage preservation and memory fostering. The conference will help to create a sustainable network of professional contacts and consultants, which the Jewish Community of the Republic of Moldova will be able to use for a number of projects, such as the National Museum of Jewish History in Moldova or the campaign for a national strategy to prevent antisemitism and foster Jewish life.

Objectives of the conference

• Analytical understanding of the historical events of 1903 and the consequences of the Pogrom, study of heritage at the national and international levels.
• To perpetuate the memory and give impetus to the practice of marking the dates of the Chisinau Pogrom at the national and international levels. Inclusion of the 1903 pogrom and other significant events in Jewish history as a necessary and integral part of Moldovan national history.
• Inclusion of the 1903 pogrom and other significant events of Jewish history in museum exhibitions and educational programs.
• Definition and interdisciplinary understanding of the nature and historical connections between the Kishinev Pogrom and the Holocaust in Eastern Europe.
• Explore the contemporary relevance of the history of the Chisinau pogrom (antiSemitism, strengthening of right-wing nationalist trends in the modern world, conspiracy theories, fake news).
• Studying the situation of the Jewish people in Moldova at the present time, considering practical steps to ensure the protection and development of Jewish life in Moldova today. - Create a platform for discussing issues related to the Jewish Community of Moldova.
• Establish sustainable connections between the Jewish Community of Moldova and other organizations and experts who could support the community in future projects. Develop closer relations between the Jewish community of Moldova and government authorities, international and non-governmental organizations in Moldova.
• Develop a positive image of the Jewish Community of the Republic of Moldova within the country and at the international level. To firmly place Moldova on the Jewish map of the world and to promote greater awareness of Moldova's importance to world Jewish history.

Conference format

Presentations, panel discussions, and topical cultural event.

Prospective Program 

Panel 1: The Kishinev pogrom of 1903 and its consequences.

Panel 2: Reflection of significant events in Jewish history in research and museum exhibitions.

Panel 3: Place of significant events in Jewish history in educational programs.

Panel 4: Recognition and preservation of Jewish Heritage.

Please confirm your participation by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by November 1, 2023.