 | TRANSNISTRIA was an artificial name used by Romanian fascists and Nazi Germany for the largest killing field in the Holocaust. Never a real name, it is not in use locally. [more] |  | | |  | A RIVER OF BLOOD was the promise to Moldova's Slavic minority in 1990. Ethnic conflict played a role in independence struggles on both sides of the Dniester river. [more] |
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Tiraspol Diocese promotes Trans-Dniestria abroad
With the blessings of Patriarch Alexius II, Tiraspol's own Bishop Justinian opened the "Pridnestrovie Days" expo in Moscow. The four day event shows a new face of the unrecognized country as it attempts to obtain international recognition of its statehood. A strong showing of some 700 delegates have arrived from Pridnestrovie.
With the blessings of Patriarch Alexius II, Tiraspol's own Bishop Justinian opened the "Pridnestrovie Days" expoMOSCOW (Tiraspol Times) - The Tiraspol Diocese of the Orthodox Church is taking a leading part in the current "Pridnestrovie Days" in Moscow, dedicated to putting Trans-Dniestria's best face forward. A total of nearly 700 delegates from Pridnestrovie who arrived in Moscow to promote their small, unrecognized country during the four day long "Pridnestrovie Days" expo.
From PMR, the clergymen of the Tiraspol-Dubossary Diocese brought a special icon dedicated to the memory of the victims of the 1992 war with Moldova for independence. Located in the main exhibition hall, visitors can engage in public prayers with members of the diocese. The booth at the expo center also informs visitors about the work of the Tiraspol diocese and about the history of the Orthodox Christians in Pridnestrovie.
With the blessings of Patriarch Alexius II, the Patriarch of Moscow and spiritual leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Tiraspol's own Bishop Justinian opened the "Pridnestrovie Days" alongside the Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica's top government leadership.
- On the fault-line between cultures...
Numerous events are held in half a dozen locations throughout the city. The main exhibits take place in the Sokolniki Park expo center, where also the official opening of Pridnestrovie Days was held.
The main religious faith in Tiraspol, Orthodox Christianity, has its own booth at the international "Pridnestrovie Days" expo.
President Smirnov spoke at the opening of the festivities, saying “This is all necessary so that we remembered that the Transdniestrian people cannot be killed,” he told an audience which included Sergey Baburin, deputy speaker of the Russia's lower house, the State Duma.
“ - It has always been the case they we were on the fault-line between cultures, and now NATO's task is clear – to squeeze out our identity and show us how to live,” President Smirnov added.
The large “Pridnestrovie Days” expo is held between 22 May and 25 May in Moscow, with a series of events including political forums, round tables and scores of different presentations and exhibitions.
The events are attended by ordinary Russians and Russian officials, who will hold several meetings with their counterparts from Pridnestrovie.
The events end on 25 May when several Russian citizens will be decorated with Pridnestrovian medals. (With information from Info-Prim Neo, Kommersant)
See also:
» First 'Pridnestrovie Days' expo premieres abroad
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An estimated 4,000 people took to the streets of Tiraspol this weekend in favor of independence from Moldova. The march called for "Slavic Unity" between churches and local civil society organizations. Unlike Pridnestrovie, Moldova is not majority Slavic and friendship - but not unity - is sought with Moldova. . . 
