Tiraspol begins celebrating its 222nd birthday

A theatrical show took place near Tiraspol's fortress featuring the historical characters: Empress Catherine II, Alexander Suvorov and France de Volant

The festivities took the start at the place the city began to develop from - the Sredinnaya Fortress. Near the only extant fortress facility - the powder magazine of St Basil's bastion, the city's residents and guests watched a theatrical prologue featuring Empress Catherine II, on whose decree the fortress was built, Alexander Suvorov, Tiraspol's founder and great Russian commander-in-chief, France de Volant, the author of the first urban area development plan, as well as soldiers in the 18th century uniform.

In his speech, Valeriy Zemlyakov, a deputy chairman of Tiraspol's City Council, underscored that Tiraspol had always been the outpost of the Russian state. "People of more than 300 nationalities settled and have lived here, and we are proud that they all live here in peace and harmony," said ValeriyZemlyakov.

"Much has been achieved in the capital in the past years. We have completely handled the shortage of kindergarten facilities; much attention is paid to public education. This is no accident. We know that the future of our city lies in its younger generation," said ValeriyZemlyakov.

After the theatrical performance the audience visited an exhibition organised by museum employees in the powder magazine. The exposition was dedicated to the history of Tiraspol's fortress and the city itself.

After that, the city's leadership and townspeople marched from the Tiraspol fortress to A. V. Suvorov Square to attend the ceremony of flag-raising.