South Ossetia celebrates its 18th independence anniversary

Today, the capital of South Ossetia hosted celebrations on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of declaration by the Republic of its state sovereignty. For the first time this year, the Republic celebrates this date, while being officially recognized by some countries.

We remind you that on August 26 President of Russia Dmitri Medvedev signed decrees on recognition of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Apart from Russia, independence of these republics was recognized by Nicaragua.

The celebrations of the South-Ossetian holiday started with laying flowers and wreaths in the Glory Alley in the yard of Tskhinvali School No. 5, where defenders of the Republic from Georgian aggressions in 1992 and in August of 2008 are buried. The main celebrations passed in the central city square, the "Mayak" Radio broadcasts.

In honour of the Independence Day of South Ossetia, a military parade was held in Tskhinvali. Before the parade, the troops of the Tskhinvali garrison and residents of the Republic were addressed by President Eduard Kokoity. He congratulated the Ossetian people with the 18th anniversary of declaration of the Republic's independence.

Then, awards which granted to 66 persons, 11 of them were awarded posthumously. After the military parade, celebrations continued in the form of people's festivities and a musical concert, the Regnum Agency reports.