10 years of the referendum in Transnistria: challenges of the 2006 as the factors of formation of civil identity

The foundation of Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria) was proclaimed in 1990 at the nation-wide referendum. At that time, internationally minded and citizenly active population of the region came out against aggressive nationalism, unification with Romania and ban on use of Russian language, which was dominating in the region. The author traces the history of the Transnistria. The end of 1980s was the time of collision of two identities: one had in its basis the Moldavian-Romanian language policy (Kishinev), the other one - the pro-Russian policy (Tiraspol). Transnistria found itself under permanent economic and political pressure imposed by Moldova, with Ukraine joining to this blockade. Transnistrian civil society reacted to these activities of Moldovan and Ukrainian authorities by consolidating itself. Civil identity of Transnistrians, forming in the atmosphere of external challenges and threats, became fundamental for viability of Transnistria. In 2006 at a regular referendum, Transnistrians defined the geopolitical vector of their country's development - to be together with Russia. Although the international community did not recognize the results of the referendum, it was extremely important for internal consolidation of society, as well as for the recognition by the population of its united civil identity.