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A huge red-and-green flag, the national colors of PMR, was raised in central Tiraspol on 2 Sep 2007 to celebrate independence

TIRASPOL (Tiraspol Times) - 35 different ethnic groups live in Pridnestrovie, and on 2 September 2007 it seemed as if all of them took to the streets at the same time to celebrate the 17th anniversary of the declaration of independence.

Each year, the 2nd of September is a public holiday in PMR (the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic), with towns and cities being decked out in the unrecognized country's red and green flag, and citizens putting on their finest for a re-affirmation of their wish for self-determination and independence.

This year, international delegations from France, Ireland, Russia, South Ossetia, Poland and Ukraine were in Pridnestrovie to participate in its Independence Day festivities.

Seventeen years after the Soviet Union fell apart and Pridnestrovie declared independence, the small republic has "strengthened its statehood", says the press service of PMR's Parliament, while also confirming that the republic continues affirming its right to independence.

" - We have demonstrated to the entire world that we are able to run the state and to perform all the functions of a modern state. I believe our republic faces a bright future," says MP Mikhail Burla, an economist who heads the Parliamentary Committee for economic policy, budget and finance and is a member of opposition party "Renewal".

Parliamentarians plead for peace

A solemn public flag raising ceremony took place at the central square of the capital Tiraspol while thousands of assembled citizens sang the national anthem of the republic. This was followed by a military parade of the Armed Forces of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, the national security and interior ministry forces.

During the events, several parliamentarians stressed the need for peace and hoped that Moldova would not attack again like it did in 1992.

" - Every year we celebrate the Independence Day of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic," said Efim Koval, an ethnic Moldovan who is a member of the PMR Parliament and supports Pridnestrovie's independence.

" - On this day I wish good health, happiness, long life, peace and wellbeing to the people of Pridnestrovie. May ever be no war on this land, no sound of shell burst and no shooting," Koval said. He was joined by Olga Gukalenko who underscored the need for international recognition of Pridnestrovie's statehood.

" - Jointly, with maximum efforts we’ll win recognition of our republic and we’ll do our best so that people feel comfortable and free in Pridnestrovie," said Olga Gukalenko, one of Pridnestrovie's female MPs.

" - I know many states that are smaller than Pridnestrovie but they are recognized. I have no idea why Pridnestrovie is still unrecognized: your state has a consensus that is all the structures are working jointly without any struggle," said French lawyer Patrick Brunot, an advisor to the International Criminal Court in the Hague. " I think recognition is not far away," he added. "Many countries are working on the solution to this issue."

Youth knows only one homeland

Pridnestrovie is home to nearly 100,000 young people who have never known any other state except their de facto independent country.

" - For me the republic’s birthday is another milestone in its history, it’s another step towards better future," said 18-year Mikhail Kravchenko, a citizen of Pridnestrovie. He was one year old when Pridnestrovie declared its independence as a separate state.

" - This is a double holiday for the young people who were born in the 1990's," said Vyacheslav Tobukh, a Member of Parliament. "These kids have never lived under the Soviet rule that we experienced partially. Pridnestrovie is the only state they have ever lived in."

The official ceremony was followed by celebrations in the main street of the capital, while in major towns and cities throughout Pridnestrovie, folk groups played live music in the main squares and locals danced in the streets under the September sun. Food was provided for free.

Apart from live bands providing music, circus acts were also part of the planned attractions on Sunday afternoon. Later in the day, in Tiraspol, entrance was free for a concert organized by the Pridnestrovie symphony orchestra which was called “Pridnestrovie is in my heart” with free entrance. Another free performance took place at the city's theater, with the theater putting on a play called “Truth is good, but happiness is better”.

The day's events ended with large fireworks displays in several cities and an open-air rock concert in Tiraspol, the capital. (With information and photos from vspmr.org)

See also:
» Independence Day celebrations in cities throughout Transdniestria [1]