Part 2 of a five-part exclusive interview series with South Ossetian Foreign Minister Akhsar Dzhioev exploring how family, traditions, music, and cultural heritage continue to shape everyday life in South Ossetia.
LENTERAMERAH — A nation’s identity is not preserved only in history books or official institutions. It also lives around family tables, in traditional celebrations, in songs passed from one generation to the next, and in customs practiced long after they were first created.
In South Ossetia, these traditions remain part of everyday life. They shape how families gather, how communities welcome guests, and how cultural heritage continues to be passed on to younger generations.
In the second part of this exclusive interview, South Ossetian Foreign Minister Akhsar Dzhioev explains how these traditions continue to define daily life and why preserving them remains essential for the country’s future.
If someone were to spend a day with an ordinary family in South Ossetia, what aspects of daily life would they experience? Which social values best reflect contemporary Ossetian society?
Spend a day with an ordinary Ossetian family and you’ll quickly realize that time flows differently here. It’s not about a slow pace, but about priorities: people come before work, and traditions aren’t museum exhibits but the living framework that holds everyday life together.
The first thing you’ll notice is the cult of the guest. In an Ossetian family, a guest isn’t just someone who drops by for a cup of tea. They’re practically a sacred figure. If you enter the house, you won’t be allowed to leave until you’ve sampled everything on the table.
An Ossetian feast isn’t about food, but rather a ritual with strict adherence to seniority and centuries-old rules. For us, every toast is a prayer. This may seem difficult, but it instills discipline and teaches respect for elders.
You’ll likely witness pie-making. It’s more than just baking; it’s a skill passed down from mother to daughter. In a typical family, pies are a sign: if they’re on the table, it means there’s a holiday or an important event in the house.
You’ll see a modern guy in designer sneakers scrolling through social media and then standing up when an older person enters the room. This is not a gesture for show – it’s our culture and traditions, ingrained in our subconscious at a genetic level.
If we try to identify the main “pillars” of modern Ossetian society, it will be a triad: Respect, Kinship and Honor.
The opinion of the elder in the family is decisive. Even if the younger generation disagrees, they will show respect in a formal manner. This creates a surprising effect: there are almost no lonely elderly people in society. They are always at the center of family life, surrounded by attention.
In Ossetia, you will always be “someone’s,” meaning a representative of a specific family group from a specific area. A family name isn’t just an entry in a passport; it’s a reputation. A person is responsible not only for themselves but also for the honor of their family. It’s a powerful social regulator; you won’t do something mean, because it will cast a shadow on all your relatives.
Ossetian society is very close-knit. If a family member experiences a tragedy or a joyful event, the entire neighborhood hears about it. Helping neighbors, attending funerals and weddings is an essential part of life. You can’t be alone; you’re always part of a larger organism.
In Ossetian culture, displaying emotions is not customary. A man should be reserved, and a woman wise and modest. This isn’t about suppressing one’s personality, but about maintaining composure in any situation.
By the end of the day you’ll likely feel slightly tired from the abundance of food and conversation, but at the same time you’ll feel a strange sense of security. In today’s world, where everyone is out for themselves, an Ossetian family provides a sense of support.
You’ll understand that modern Ossetian society is a remarkable blend. We use the latest iPhones , drive nice cars and so on, yet we still sit down at the table to pray for our ancestors, for peace in the home, and for the health of our elders. And there’s no contradiction in this. For us, this is what a normal, fulfilling life is.
The rhythms of everyday life described by Dzhioev are not accidental. They are shaped by traditions that have been passed down through generations and continue to influence how Ossetian society understands family, community, and mutual respect. This raises a broader question: which traditions have become the strongest pillars of South Ossetian identity?
Preserving the Ossetian Way of Life
Which traditions or elements of cultural heritage best represent the identity of South Ossetia? How are these traditions being preserved and passed on to younger generations?
Traditions are strong in South Ossetia. They are the living fabric of everyday life, defining the rhythm of life, the manner of communication, and the self-awareness of the people. If we try to identify what best reflects our identity, then, as I have already noted, the Ægdau (Code of Honor), the philosophy of the table (Iron fyng) and the cult of elders come to the fore.
The concept of Ægdau defies easy translation. It’s an unwritten code of conduct that governs everything from how to enter a house to how to behave in a conflict. It’s the core of Ossetian identity, teaching restraint, modesty, and responsibility for one’s words and actions.
An Ossetian feast is a complex ritual, where every action has meaning. Three pies on the table symbolize the unity of God, the Sun, and the Earth. The order of toasts is strictly regulated. First, a prayer is offered to the Almighty, then for the well-being of the people and peace in the home. It is a school of oratory, diplomacy, and respect, where each participant learns to listen and speak with dignity.
In South Ossetia, respect for elders is far from a formality. Their opinions, life experience and wisdom remain an unquestioned authority. This creates a powerful bond between generations. From childhood, young people are taught that their main support is their family and their clan, and their primary duty is to honor their ancestors.
Preserving culture in South Ossetia occurs not through textbooks but through practice. The primary institution for transmitting traditions is the family. From an early age, children attend family celebrations, observing how their elders conduct conversations and how roles are assigned at the table. They absorb these rules through the air, simply by imitating adults.
Trips to sacred sites and ancestral shrines (dzuars) are an important part of our lives. Families gather to perform rituals, make sacrifices, and pray. It unites people, reminding them of their roots and of belonging to a particular clan.
Despite globalization, the Ossetian language remains a vital tool for preserving identity. Schools and families place great emphasis on this, as the native language encodes concepts that cannot be fully conveyed in another language.
Celebration of national and religious holidays such as Uastyrdzhiyy Bontæ (Days of Uastyrdzhy, dedicated to the most revered saint in the Ossetian tradition, Uastyrdzhy – the patron of men, mentor of youth, and defender of the disadvantaged) – becomes a time when all Ossetians unite. During these days, traditions extend beyond private homes, becoming a national cultural manifesto.
Of course, the modern world dictates its own rules. Young people spend more time online, lifestyles change, and some complex rituals are simplified. However, Ossetia possesses a remarkable ability to adapt without losing its essence. During the trials that the republic has repeatedly faced it was precisely the unity dictated by the Ægdau that helped people persevere.
It’s important to understand that passing on these values today isn’t coercion, but a conscious choice. The younger generation, seeing traditions not as shackles but as support, is eager to learn them. The Ossetian language is heard in modern songs, national motifs are integrated into design and art, and social media is becoming a platform for discussing the finer points of etiquette. This proves that culture is alive as long as it can speak the language of its time without losing the depth of its roots.
Throughout the interview, Dzhioev repeatedly emphasizes that preserving culture is not about resisting change, but about ensuring that traditions continue to evolve without losing their essence. Beyond customs and rituals, music and the arts also play a central role in carrying that cultural memory from one generation to the next.
Music often provides one of the deepest insights into a nation’s identity. Which traditional songs, musical traditions, or artists do you believe best reflect the spirit of the Ossetian people? Are there any cultural festivals or artistic events that hold particular significance for South Ossetian society?
For Ossetians, music is also a kind of genetic code that encrypts the history, ethics, and character of the people. In Ossetian culture, music has always been inextricably linked with mountains, feasting, heroic epics, and deep respect for elders.
The heart of Ossetian identity is the Nart epic. Musical tales of Nart heroes form the foundation upon which Ossetian self-awareness is built. When listening to ancient heroic songs performed, for example, by male choirs, one feels power, severity, and dignity. This is music that teaches courage and loyalty to tradition.
Ossetian music is unthinkable without the khisynfandyr (an ancient bowed instrument). It has a lingering sound, slightly melancholy but incredibly deep, capturing the very atmosphere of the Ossetian mountains. It’s also impossible to imagine the Ossetian spirit without the rhythm of the doul (drum). The rhythm of the doul is the pulse of the Ossetian dance Simd, which demands from the dancer not only grace but also iron discipline. This aptly reflects the Ossetian mentality: outward restraint with an inner fire.
When discussing those who best captured this spirit, one cannot help but mention Kim Suanov, Bulat Gazdanov, Boris Galaev, and Felix Alborov, who wrote the South Ossetian anthem. They made traditional music accessible and relatable to every Ossetian while preserving its pristine purity. Ilya Gabaraev and Dudar Khakhanov are composers who wove Ossetian melodies into classical symphonic form. Also worth noting are contemporary ensembles that work with folklore, carefully preserving polyphonic forms.
We gave the world Valery Gergiev, the man who controls musical processes across the planet. He is our pride, and his magnitude as a personality is difficult to overstate. And if you want to feel the pulse of modernity you should listen to Veronika Dzhioeva. With her cosmic voice she has conquered the world’s finest opera stages while remaining utterly Ossetian in spirit.
For South Ossetia, cultural events have a special, almost sacred significance. They are a way to maintain a connection to roots amidst a complex geopolitical reality. National and religious holidays are accompanied by a vast array of musical traditions. Music becomes a way to unite family and the nation.
South Ossetia regularly hosts events featuring performances by state ensembles (for example, “Simd”). When Ossetian music plays on stage the audience is filled with a sense of pride that is difficult to describe. Ossetian music serves as a kind of dialogue with our ancestors. It teaches us that even in the most difficult times, we must maintain dignity, keep our backs straight, as in a dance, and remember who we are.
As for the literature, Kosta Khetagurov is, of course, the number one. He’s called the Ossetian Pushkin, and that’s no exaggeration. His collection “Ossetian Lyre” can be found in every house. He was more than just a poet, but rather the voice of the people, a man of incredible destiny and talent. If you want to understand the soul of an Ossetian, you should read Kosta.
In painting, Makharbek Tuganov is an absolute master for us. He was not just an artist, but a true ethnographer with a brush in hand. He so deeply understood our epic Nart Tales, that his illustrations have become iconic. Looking at his works you literally see the history of our ancestors.
The most interesting thing is that all these people, despite the differences in eras and genres, are united by an incredible devotion to their roots. In Ossetia, creativity is always a dialogue with the mountains, with history, and with that very Alan character that refuses to do anything halfheartedly. Therefore, when we speak of these names, we are talking not simply about art, but about what makes us Ossetians.
Ossetia also has a huge athletic heart. The Ossetian wrestling school is considered one of the strongest in the world. The names of Soslan Andiev, Dzambolat Tedeev, Arsen Fadzaev, Makharbek Khadartsev, Artur Taymazov, Khadzhimurat Gatsalov are legends that have raised generations. Today, when we see an Ossetian athlete on the podium we see more than just the result of training. We see the fruit of years of work by an entire school, where sport is not about money or fame, but first and foremost about honor, dignity, and the ability to be the first while remaining human.
Family, traditions and cultural expression together form an important part of how South Ossetia understands itself. Yet these cultural foundations are only one dimension of the country's engagement with the wider world. In the next installment, the conversation shifts to South Ossetia's foreign policy, public diplomacy and its perspective on the evolving international order. ***
