Taimuraz Mamsurov officially took office as North Ossetian president for a second five-year term on June 7th 2010.
More than 500 guests gathered at the official inauguration ceremony, which took place in the North Ossetian state academic theatre named after Vladimir Tkhapsaev. Among the special guests were deputy representative in the North Caucasus Federal District, vice president Alexander Khloponin, the presidents of the neighbouring republics - Arsen Kanokov, Magomed-salam Magomedov, Unus-bek Evkurov and Boris Ebzeev, governor of Stavropol region Valerii Gaevskii, speaker of the Chechen parliament Dukuvaha Abdurakhmanov and other top officials from various regions of the Russian Federation.
In the theatre foyer, the symphony orchestra of the State Philharmonia, directed by eight-year old Dana Murieva, welcomed guests to the ceremony, which didn't begin with official speeches but with a song in honour of Ossetia, featuring a famous chorus by Agunda Kokoita. Then boys dressed in symbolic colours of Russian and Ossetian flags appeared singing songs about what a real patriot should be.
The ceremony featured songs and dances and even a historical chronical on a huge screen, recreating hard times that the Ossetian people and their leader have overcome . The North Ossetian Parliamentary Speaker, Larisa Habitsova, paid due respect to the positive social, political and economic changes to have occurred during the presidency of Mamsurov. She also noted that power for this outstanding politician is not a goal, but an opportunity to serve his people.
The high point of the ceremony was Mamsurov's swearing in. He delivered his inauguration speech in two languages, Russian and Ossetian, with his hand on the Constitution. After taking the oath of office, the deputy president's representative in the North Caucasus Federal District, Alexander Khloponin, read out a letter of congratulations from Russian President Dmitrii Medvedev: "Today is a significant day in the history of the republic. Without doubt, your appointment for a second term demonstrates the high level of trust in you by the federal authorities and of course the people of North Ossetia. A great responsibility has been laid upon you. We know that the Ossetian people have experienced hard times but at the same time shown unprecedented courage and toughness. To serve such a nation is a
joy. There is no better reward for any leader.
But despite the achievements there is a range of unresolved problems. I am quite sure the Republic has all the necessary resources to provide its citizens with proper living standards. We now have an opportunity to make the Republic an example of economic stability, inter-ethnic and inter-religious tolerance and peace." Alexander Khloponin also noted that the resolution of internal problems is of vital importance for the future development of the republic.
Other top officials, delivering their congratulations, pointed out the high level of importance the republic plays in the development of the entire Caucasus region, spoke much about close ties between the various peoples who live in the Caucasus and the importance of peace in the region. Taimuraz Mamsurov also received congratulations from the Orthodox and Muslim religious leaders.
Tamara Bunturi, Vladikavkaz. Exclusively for VK.
