Published: 8 August, 2009, 19:20
Edited: 8 August, 2009, 19:20
In Tshkinval, the capital of South Ossetia, a museum that commemorates last year’s war with Georgia has opened its doors to the public.
The museum, housed inside of a building that had been damaged during the 5-day war, is presenting an exhibition of photos and paintings that reflect the pain and suffering that the people of Tshkinval endured last August.
The collection’s main focus is to demonstrate the Georgian army’s misconduct during the war.
The exhibition includes photographic evidence that “Grad” and “Uragan” type bombings, which involve multiple artillery rocket systems, were used in the residential areas of Tskhinval.
The presidents of South Ossetia and Abkhazia were amongst the first visitors to the museum.
“It is difficult to remember what happened a year ago, to tell about the pain that we lived through,” South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoyty told reporters.
“It is difficult to open such museums, but we must do so for the memory of the dead and for future generations.”
Last year’s war with Georgia, which began on August 8, left hundreds of civilians dead and many injured. Reminders of the war are still visible across the South Ossetian capital.