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Konstantin Kinchev, lead singer of rock group Alisa, during PMR independence celebrations (2 Sep 2005)

RIGA (Tiraspol Times) - With the hard rock of Alisa [1], Pridnestrovie celebrated yet another year of de facto independence in 2005. The band played to a massive crowd when the 2 September 2005 independence day celebrations ended with a fireworks display and a free concert by the rock group Alisa in Tiraspol’s Suvorov Square.

A close friend of Konstantin Kinchev told Tiraspol Times that the rock star will be back in Tiraspol for another year of independence rock on 2 September 2006. The founder and original member of the band since 1985 supports freedom in all its forms, including the freedom of a people to democratically choose its own future.

The venerable protest rock group fought an underground battle against the communists regime in the old Soviet Union. After freedom, the rockers no longer needed to hide. Now they are openly on stage for all to see. But their tune hasn't changed: It's still about the need for self determination and human freedom, and they stand shoulder to shoulder with Pridnestrovie to defend that right.

Konstantin Kinchev (also known as "Panfilov"), the lead singer of the band, is shown in this photo supporting Pridnestrovie's right to independence.

In the breakup of the Soviet Union, Pridnestrovie - also known unofficially as Transnistria - declared independence on 2 September 1990. An unsettled territorial claim by Moldova has prevented it from gaining international recognition despite meeting all the requirements for statehood under international law.