In honor of Independence Day of South Ossetia by the Russian Federation in the Republic on Monday will be held ceremonial events.
President of the Republic Anatoly Bibilov believes that only the recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia put an end to Georgia’s revengeful ambitions.
"The decision made by Russia was not only logical, but also absolutely correct, which guaranteed the safety of our people from destruction by Georgia," the head of state told reporters.
August 26 is included in the calendar of holidays and memorable dates and is a day off in the Republic.
"A grand meeting on the occasion of the 11th anniversary of recognition will be held at the "Chermen" State Concert Hall, representatives of the South Ossetian and Russian public who have contributed to the recognition of South Ossetian independence will be awarded.
In addition, the opening ceremony of the exhibition of paintings by South Ossetian artists "The Peace We Live in ..." will take place in the cinema hall.
The grand ethnographic holiday "Heritage of the Ancestors" will be held in the village of Khetagurovo, Tskhinval district. The events will end with the concert “Songs born of Freedom” with the participation of guests from Russia, which will be held at the republican stadium, and with festive fireworks,” Minister of Culture Zhanna Zassyeva told IA "Res ".
For security purposes, the state border with Georgia is closed, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will be ensuring public order during the festive events.
History of the holiday
Independence Day of South Ossetia is celebrated on August 26. It was on this day in 2008 that the Russian Federation recognized the independence of South Ossetia, since then it is a national holiday in the Republic. Following Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru and Syria also recognized the independence of the Republic.
This great historical day was preceded by two nation-wide referendums on independence held in the Republic, many years of armed conflict with Georgia, genocides committed by Georgia against South Ossetians. In the name of freedom and independence, thousands of South Ossetian citizens gave their lives.
"Given the free expression of the will of the Ossetian and Abkhaz peoples, guided by the provisions of the UN Charter, the 1970 declaration on principles of international law regarding friendly relations between states, the 1975 Helsinki Final Act of the OSCE, and other fundamental international documents, I signed the decrees recognizing the independence of South Ossetia by the Russian Federation and independence of Abkhazia, "said the -then President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev in a televised address to Russian citizens on August 26, 2008.
Russia called on other states to follow suit. "This is not an easy choice, but this is the only way to save people's lives," said President of the Russian Federation.
“Dear citizens of Russia! You, of course, know about the tragedy of South Ossetia,” the President addressed the Russians.
"The nightly shooting of Tskhinval by Georgian troops led to the deaths of hundreds of our civilians," Medvedev said. In addition, were perished Russian peacekeepers, "having completely fulfilled their duty to protect women, children and the elderly."
"The Georgian leadership, in violation of the UN Charter, its obligations under international agreements, contrary to common sense, unleashed an armed conflict, the victims of which were peaceful people," the Russian President stated then.
"Abkhazia was waiting for the same fate. Obviously, Tbilisi was counting on a blitzkrieg that would put the world community at a fait accompli," he said.
According to Medvedev, the Georgian side has chosen "the most inhuman way to achieve its goal - to annex South Ossetia at the cost of destroying an entire nation."
Medvedev has reminded that this was not the first attempt.
"In 1991, Georgian President Gamsakhurdia, calling"Georgia for Georgians "- just think about these words - ordered the assault of Sukhum and Tskhinval. Thousands of perished, tens of thousands of refugees, devastated villages - that’s what then it led to," said the President of the Russian Federation.
He has reminded that it was Russia at that moment that stopped the extermination of the Abkhaz and Ossetian peoples.
