Bibilov allows calling Tskhinval as Stalinir

The name of "Stalinir" will be used to designate the capital of South Ossetia along with the modern name of the city (Tskhinval or Tskhinvali) during the festivities dedicated to the Great Patriotic War, Anatoly Bibilov, the president of the republic, has decided.

The decree on the temporary return of the historical name of Tskhinval was signed by the head of South Ossetia, Anatoly Bibilov, on April 27. The name "Stalinir" can be used "when conducting republic's and city events dedicated to the commemorative dates associated with the Great Patriotic War," says the document posted on the website of the head of the republic.

"To establish the name 'Stalinir City' as the symbol of the city of Tskhinval, used along with the name 'Tskhinval Cuty' [...] on the following days: May 9 – Victory Day; and June 22 – the starting day of the Great Patriotic War (1941)," Mr Bibilov's decree states.

Tskhinval was renamed to Stalinir, or Staliniri, in honour of Joseph Stalin in 1934. In 1961, the city was renamed as Tskhinvali. In 1991, the authorities of South Ossetia officially approved the name of Tskhinval (de facto was used in Soviet times in parallel with Tskhinvali).

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 28, 2020 at 00:33 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.