President Alan Gagloev has attended a concert of the North and the South Ossetian artists dedicated to the 250th anniversary of Ossetia's accession to Russia and the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, which took place at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow.
The event was attended by the Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matviyenko, the head of North Ossetia Sergei Menyailo, and other officials.
The concert began with an overture by the orchestra conducted by maestro Valery Gergiev, after which the head of the South Ossetian state Alan Gagloev addressed those present during the official part.
“The Ossetian Culture Days in Moscow are associated with significant historical milestones filled with deep symbolism. They reflect the formation and development of relations between Ossetia and Russia, the most important moments in the history of the Republic of North Ossetia - Alania and the entire Ossetian people," Alan Gagloev said.
He has emphasized that 250 years after Ossetia joined the Russian state, representatives of the north and south of Ossetia are today celebrating the epochal date together. This, according to him, is a clear confirmation of the unity of the Ossetian people, the perception of the choice made by our ancestors.
"As in the distant 10th century, when Alania adopted Orthodoxy as the state religion, the choice of voluntary accession to Russia, made by the Ossetians in the 18th century, was a deeply and comprehensively thought-out decision based on the awareness of vital interests, the spiritual memory of the people and a sense of closeness to that civilizational space, the center of attraction of which was and remains Russia," he has noted.
The head of state has added that this choice determined Ossetia's path in the historical perspective and opened up broad opportunities for the creative potential of the people in all areas, from education, science, professional culture and sports to impressive socio-economic development.
Alan Gagloev also particularly emphasized Russia's role in the formation of South Ossetia's statehood.
"South Ossetia will always remember the assistance that Russia provided us at the time of mortal danger in August 2008. Today, fulfilling our allied duty and continuing the centuries-old traditions of military cooperation, our soldiers are fighting shoulder to shoulder with the Russian fighters. People of South Ossetia will always be close to Russia, with which they are bound by lasting peace and security, development guarantees and confidence in the future," he said.
He has added that in this era of change, Russia is confidently and consistently moving along the path of free and sovereign development, based on identity, traditional values, respect for national culture and customs.
"We can only protect our interests and the right to a bright future together with Russia. This is a firm choice of South Ossetia, and we will continue to work in this direction. And today, sharing these wonderful anniversary celebrations of the Ossetian people, I want to wish all of us success in solving the tasks that Ossetia and the entire Russian World have set for themselves," he has added.
Alan Gagloev wished everyone well-being, new heights and bright achievements, concluding his speech with the words of the great Kosta Khetagurov, whose 165th anniversary is being celebrated today by the entire Ossetian people: "Tsæyut, æfsymærtau, radtæm næ kukhtæ Abon kærædzimæ, Iry læpputæ! Uaelakhiz uaet Uyrys! Uaelakhiz uaet Iryston! "
