Day of Ossetian language and literature (15/05)

On May 15, South Ossetia celebrates the Day of Ossetian Language and Literature. This holiday has also been celebrated in the northern part of Ossetia since 2003. It is significant that the date of the holiday is connected with the day of publication in 1899 of the book by the founder of the Ossetian literary language Kosta Khetagurov «Iron fandyr» («Ossetian lira»).

The Ossetian language belongs to the Iranian group of the Indo-European language family and is the only successor to the Scythian-Sarmato-Alan language, which makes it a unique monument to the identity, history and culture of the Ossetian people. The great emotional significance of today's holiday can hardly be overestimated — without language and no nation.

The Constitutional Law «On the State Languages of the Republic of South Ossetia» states: «The Ossetian language is the custodian of the rich spiritual culture of the ancient Indo-Iranian peoples, accumulated in its rich phraseology and monumental epic about Nart. Modern Ossetians face the historical task of preserving and developing this unique monument of the history and culture of the Indo-European peoples».

The Ossetian language is rich, beautiful, complex. And this holiday — is the very reason to enjoy the sound and pronunciation of your native speech. His task is to increase the love of the younger generation for their native language, so that children absorb it with their mother’s milk, with their first lullabies and fairy tales.

In Tskhinvali, the celebration of the Day of Ossetian Language and Literature begins with a rally and laying flowers at the monument to Kosta Khetagurov. Here, schoolchildren read poems by famous Ossetian poets, and certificates are awarded to the winners of literary Olympiads and creative competitions.

On this day, cultural events are traditionally held in many cities of the republic with the participation of famous Ossetian writers, teachers, linguists and historians, seminars for teachers of the Ossetian language and literature are held in schools, open lessons in the Ossetian language are held, competitions for the best Ossetian poems, songs and dances.

Also dedicated to the celebration of this Day are scientific and practical conferences and seminars dedicated to the problems of the current state of the Ossetian language, its development and revival, and modern teaching methods. And the best teachers of the Ossetian language are awarded as part of the celebration for their contribution to the preservation of the native language, customs and traditions of their people.

By the way, cultural and ceremonial events dedicated to the Day of Ossetian Language and Literature are held not only in Ossetia, but also in different cities of Russia, as well as abroad.

1059