Part 1 of a five-part exclusive interview series in which South Ossetian Foreign Minister Akhsar Dzhioev introduces South Ossetia through its people, culture, and national identity.
LENTERAMERAH — At the foot of the Caucasus Mountains lives a nation that has preserved its identity across generations. Surrounded by mountains, valleys, and villages inhabited for centuries, South Ossetia remains deeply connected to its historical and cultural roots.
Amid this landscape, the Ossetian people continue to preserve their language, customs, and traditions as an integral part of everyday life. This heritage lives on through families, local communities, and younger generations who continue to uphold it.
Despite its rich history, culture, and enduring national identity, the story of South Ossetia rarely reaches Indonesian audiences. Even less known are the lives of its people, the traditions they preserve, and the way they understand their homeland and national identity.
Through this exclusive interview with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia, Akhsar Dzhioev, Lentera Merah invites readers to discover South Ossetia from a perspective that is rarely heard in Indonesia. The interview is presented as a five-part series. The opening installment introduces South Ossetia through its people, culture, and national identity, before moving on to discussions of diplomacy, international relations, and the country’s vision for the future.
Interestingly, when invited to introduce South Ossetia to Indonesian readers, Dzhioev did not begin with politics or diplomacy. Instead, he chose to start with what lies at the heart of his country—its people, the traditions they preserve, the families that sustain them, and the identity that has been passed down from one generation to the next.
If you were asked to introduce South Ossetia to an international audience unfamiliar with the country, what aspects of its history, culture, society, or natural heritage would you most like people to discover?
If I had to introduce South Ossetia to someone who’d never heard of it, I wouldn’t start with politics or dry geographical information. I’d begin with the feeling you get when you first find yourself among these mountains.
The first thing that strikes you about South Ossetia is, of course, the scale and its pristine nature. These aren’t polished tourist resorts but the rugged, majestic Caucasus Mountains, where time seems to slow down. I’d tell you about the high-altitude villages where people live in harmony with the rhythm of nature, about the pristine glaciers and gorges that remember the footsteps of ancient travelers. This is a place where you feel small, yet at the same time part of something eternal.
I would definitely mention that the Ossetians are descendants of the Alans, an ancient people whose history stretches back to ancient times. This isn’t just a textbook phrase; it’s a living tradition. I would introduce people to the Ossetian feast. The ritual with three pies, each with its own sacred meaning, and the toasts that become lessons in wisdom, honor, and respect for elders. It’s a culture where the word “guest” is sacred, and human dignity is valued above any material possessions.
It’s impossible to talk about this country without considering its history. South Ossetia is a place where people have learned to maintain their identity despite any circumstances. I would speak of the incredible resilience of our people. This is not a story of sacrifice, but a story of love for life. Despite all the hardships, people here know how to laugh, sing songs, and make plans for the future. This is a society where everyone knows the value of peace and truly appreciates every peaceful day.
I’d like for people to learn about how the archaic and the modern are intertwined in South Ossetia. Here you can meet someone who knows the Nart epic by heart, yet at the same time is a modern professional, open to the world. This is a country with a very strong inner core, which doesn’t try to imitate others, but carefully preserves its own unique identity.
As South Ossetia’s chief diplomat, Dzhioev could have chosen to introduce his country through international recognition, foreign policy, or geopolitical realities. Instead, he began with its people and national identity. In his view, understanding South Ossetia starts with understanding the values and character of the nation itself. That naturally leads to a more fundamental question, what does it mean to be Ossetian?
Many countries are remembered not only for their politics but also for the stories their people tell about home. Is there a place, tradition or personal memory that, in your view, best captures what it means to be Ossetian?
You know, when people ask me what it means to be Ossetian, I don’t think of history textbooks or loud political slogans. For me, this feeling is always tangible. It smells of campfire smoke, fresh mountain air, and, of course, warm dough. It’s a state of mind that’s ingrained in the cultural code, even if you live thousands of kilometers from Ossetia.
Being an Ossetian means understanding that your actions are the face of your family and your clan. You can’t afford to be “no good”, because generations of ancestors stand behind you, and you have no right to let them down. In Ossetian culture, respect for elders is the foundation of morality. Toasts at the Ossetian table are not just wishes; they are prayers and history lessons passed down orally. An Ossetian knows how to listen to elders offering a toast and understand that in that moment, a connection is made between times. Ossetian history is steeped in the struggle for survival in the harsh mountains. This explains our incredible resilience, our ability to never complain, and our ability to withstand hardship.
A true Ossetian knows how to combine pride and humility. It’s when you can be as tough as a rock when it comes to defending your home, yet remain endlessly hospitable, giving your guest the best you have. And wherever you are, that invisible rhythm of the mountains always resounds in your heart, and you always remember that behind you stand those who came before you and those who will come after. It’s a sense of belonging to something greater than yourself. And that, perhaps, is the most precious thing we have.
For Dzhioev, national identity extends beyond history or state symbols. It is rooted in the values that have shaped Ossetian society for generations and continue to define the nation’s character today. Those enduring principles, he argues, remain the foundation of South Ossetian society.
South Ossetia has a long and distinctive historical and cultural heritage. Which values or characteristics of the Ossetian people do you believe continue to serve as the foundation of society today?
You know, when I’m asked what exactly unites our people, I always return to our roots. Ossetia, and South Ossetia in particular, is not just a territory; it is, first and foremost, a people whose identity has been forged over centuries of hardship. And if we talk about what forms the foundation of our society today, I would highlight several key points.
First and foremost, it’s Ӕgdau – our code of honor and conduct. It’s not just a set of rules; it’s an internal compass passed down from father to son. Respect for elders, responsibility for one’s family, and dignity in one’s actions – these are what prevents us from becoming absorbed in the global world while preserving our unique identity. For us, human honor has always been more important than material wealth.
Secondly, it’s family. In Ossetia, the concept of family extends far beyond parents and children. It’s a vast support network where everyone feels responsible for their family. During difficult times this unity became our greatest shield. Today, this manifests itself in the fact that we are never left alone in times of adversity, as we always have the support of our near and distant relatives and neighbors. It’s a sense of community that cannot be bought or imitated. In the most difficult times, when South Ossetia was going through the hardest trials, it was this sense of community, this willingness to come to the aid of our neighbors without further ado that saved us. We know how to stand together when needed.
Thirdly, Ossetian hospitality. This isn’t just a ritual with three pies on the table. It’s a profound philosophy of accepting others. This reflects the wisdom of a people who, despite their closed borders, are always open to friendship and sincere communication. This ability to see a guest as a messenger of destiny to whom one must give one’s best is a trait that makes society humane and warm, even in the harshest times.
And finally, the love for our native land. These are not just pompous words. For us, the mountains, our gorges, our shrines are more than just landscapes. They are a living connection with our ancestors. We feel part of something much greater than just a modern state. We are the guardians of an ancient culture, and this awareness gives us the strength to look to the future with optimism.
Today, despite all the challenges of the times, these values remain unshakable. We are changing, we are developing, we are open to the world, but at the core of our society are still the same principles as hundreds of years ago: honesty, courage, and a deep respect for our roots. This is what makes us Ossetians and allows us to move forward with confidence.
To sum it up in a single sentence, the foundation of Ossetian society today is a combination of proud dignity and profound humanity. These are the people who can be as strong as the rocks of the Caucasus when it comes to defending their values and incredibly warm-hearted when it comes to friendship, family, and hospitality. It is this balance that allows South Ossetia, and the Ossetian people as a whole, to maintain their uniqueness in a rapidly changing world.
Throughout this opening installment, Dzhioev introduces South Ossetia not through politics or geopolitical disputes, but through the identity of its people. In the next part of this series, the conversation turns to everyday life in South Ossetia, exploring family, traditions, music, and the cultural heritage that continues to shape the nation across generations. ***
