South Ossetia lights candles in memory of 2008 Georgian aggression victims - World - TASS

Thousands of South Ossetian residents took part in a mourning ceremony for those killed during the 2008 Georgian aggression, lighting candles and putting victims’ photographs on display outside the country’s parliament on Saturday evening.

On August 6-8, South Ossetia is marking the 13th anniversary of Georgia’s attack on the republic.

"For the 13th consecutive year, we are gathering here to remember the tragic period of South Ossetia’s modern history. We are coming here to remember those who lost their lives on August 8, and also those who were brutally killed during the Dzari tragedy, the Ered tragedy and all those killed in provocations of Georgia’s leadership. We must keep the memory of Russian peacekeepers, who were the first to bear the brunt of the attack, we must remember how our children were hiding in basements. We must remember the tears shed by our mothers and daughters. We must remember it all, because the pain from this tragedy is lingering," South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov said during the mourning ceremony in Tskhinval.

In his words, Georgia’s treatment of Ossetians can only be described as genocide, which continued since 1920s and was stopped only after Russia interfered in August 2008.

The mourning ceremony began near the Museum of Burnt Souls, where the republic’s leadership and citizens laid wreaths to the museum’s main monument, "The Tree of Grief," and lit memorial candles near the crucifix.

The Museum of Burnt Souls is located in the village of Tbet, some 2 km to the west of Tskhinval, near the entry to the Zarskaya road, which used to be the only way from Tskhinval to Russia back in August 2008. The museum is built in the open air featuring destroyed cars, which came under fire when carrying refuges, who tried to leave the city during the attack. In the middle of the circle stands a large crucifix and a metallic monument featuring a tree with falling leaves, dubbed "The Tree of Grief."

On August 8, the country’s political and community leaders will lay wreaths to a memorial of Russian and South Ossetian servicemen, who defended the republic. The memorial was unveiled in downtown Tskhinval early this year.