Peacemaker's Day in South Ossetia (14/07)

Every year on July 14, South Ossetia celebrates Peacemaker Day. This is a big holiday for the Republic. The word peacemaker consists of two words, «world» and «creator», so peacemakers — are creators of peace and tranquility.

On this day, July 14, 1992, on the basis of the Agreement on the Basic Principles of the Settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian Conflict, which was signed by the heads of Russia, Georgia, North and South Ossetia on June 24, 1992, trilateral peacekeeping forces entered the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. They provided a buffer between the warring parties.

It is believed that thanks to the deployment of peacekeepers, it was possible to stop the fighting, which lasted three years and claimed hundreds of lives. After all, peacekeepers are the main guarantor of security in the conflict zone.

This was confirmed by the events of August 2008, when Georgian troops attacked the republic and destroyed part of its capital Tskhinvali. Russia, defending the residents of South Ossetia, sent troops into the republic and, after five days of fighting, ousted the Georgian military from the region. But it cost the lives of 64 Russian military personnel, including 15 peacekeepers.

In accordance with the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance of September 17, 2008 and the Agreement on Joint Efforts in Protecting the State Border of April 30, 2009, the fourth Russian military base and the Border Directorate of the FSB of the Russian Federation were formed in South Ossetia, which continue the work of peacekeepers.

In honor of the holiday, ceremonial events are held on this day. Among them are — parades of military personnel, demonstration performances, ceremonial meetings and concerts. Traditionally, in Tskhinvali, celebrations begin with the laying of wreaths at the site of the death of Russian peacekeepers in Upper Town in August 2008. Various actions are being held in populated areas of the republic, the purpose of which is to help the families of fallen South Ossetian peacekeepers. In tribute to the memory of the peacekeepers, one of the central streets of Tskhinvali is named after them.

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