A sacred festival in South Ossetia

By Vestnik Kavkaza

Today, for the 23rd time, South Ossetia celebrates one of its most important national holidays - the Day of the Republic. On September 20, 1990, the 14th session of the Council of People's Deputies of South Ossetia of the 12th convocation adopted the document according to which the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast was transformed into the South Ossetian Soviet Democratic Republic.

Vestnik Kavkaza asked the press secretary of President Leonid Tibilov, Ghana Yanovskaya, and the head of the Office for the Development of the Media, Information Technology and Public Affairs of the State Committee of Information and Press, Maya Harebova, to tell about the upcoming festivals and the significance of the holiday for the authorities and citizens of the republic.

Ghana Yanovskaya reported that the festivities began the day before - the day of the national flag of South Ossetia, where a ceremonial raising of the national flag took place. "Also, in the republic a national dictation in the Ossetian language took place,” she said. ”Today we're holding a military parade, the opening of various photography exhibitions and a large concert. The president will greet guests arriving to the country; we have invited delegations from Abkhazia, North Ossetia, Transdnistria and various guests from the Russian Federation."

Maya Harebova, in turn, noted that this morning the leaders of the republic and the public will lay wreaths at a place of the deaths of the defenders of South Ossetia. The military parade will be attended by representatives of the Russian military base and the 4th base, which is stationed in the country. There will also be a concert with the participation of Russian singer Maxim. The President will receive guests attending the event - representatives of the State Duma of the Russian Federation and the republics of the North Caucasus.

The day before, apart from the first day of the national flag, there was an important event for the economy of South Ossetia – the garment factory BTK-4 was launched. "This factory was launched thanks to the first Russian investment invested by Taymuraz Baluyev, CEO of " BTK Group". The factory already employs more than 100 people. This is a very important step towards the restoration of the republic's economy, which was noted by the leadership,” Harebova said.

According to both the official representatives of South Ossetia, in Russia the Republic Day of the RSO will be particularly marked in the Embassy of the Republic in Moscow and in North Ossetia. "As usual , all the friends of Ossetia in different parts of Russia will support it in this historic and very important day for the country,” Harebova added.

According to her , the people of the Republic consider Republic Day as a sacred holiday. "The Day of the Republic of South Ossetia for each resident is a very important holiday. For 20 years the people of the republic fought for independence, which was reached in very complex ways. So every such holiday in the country - Republic Day or Independence Day – is celebrated with a special meaning, and each citizen has his own specific approach to it. All are actively involved in it. The tables are laid on this day, and cheerful pledges sound. Throughout the country a very festive atmosphere is felt," Maya Harebova said.

Yanovska, in turn, appreciated today as the most important holiday for South Ossetia. "There was not a single year without a military parade; every year, in every possible forces, the parade was held, because it is the most important holiday for us. Every citizen appreciates this holiday. Two important festivals in the country are the recognition of independence on the part of Russia and this day," the press secretary of the president of South Ossetia said.