The day the confrontation between South Ossetia and Georgia begins (23/11)

Date November 23 for the Republic of South Ossetia — is a significant day, a day of struggle against Georgian national chauvinism. On this day in 1989, the youth of South Ossetia stood up for the first time to defend their Motherland, and the confrontation between Georgia and South Ossetia began.

Events that day developed as follows. On November 23, an attempt was made to hold a rally in Tskhinvali, to participate in which several thousand supporters of Georgian nationalist movements arrived here by bus from different regions of Georgia, led by Zviad Gamsakhurdia and the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Georgia Givi Gumbaridze. A spontaneously formed small group of South Ossetian guys blocked the road at the entrance to the city and stopped a convoy of numerous buses and cars heading from Georgia.

Later it turned out that on November 23, 1989, more than 400 —Ikarus« buses with Georgian patriots passed in the direction of Gori » Tskhinvali. At least 300 private cars moved with this armada of buses towards Tskhinvali. According to various estimates, there were from 50 to 100 thousand people in the column, many of whom were armed.

The armed confrontation between the protesters, local authorities, police and the Ossetian population lasted two days. At least six people were killed, 27 received gunshot wounds and 140 were hospitalized.

November 23, although the tragic date for South Ossetia — is the beginning of aggression, is not mourning for Ossetians. It was a day of their unity, their common resistance to the enemy, when South Ossetia was able to survive thanks to the courage of its youth.

In Tskhinvali, on this day, in honor of the next anniversary of the November events of 1989, various public commemorative events are held, and a prayer service is held in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

1060