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The Principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra will lead a defiant performance from the shattered steps of the South Ossetian parliament tonight celebrating the defeat of Georgian forces at the hands of Russian troops. Valery Gergiev, an ethnic Ossetian who has been an outspoken critic of Georgia's action during the conflict, will conduct the Mariinsky Theatre of St Petersburg in a performance that is expected to feature Vladimir Putin, the Russian Prime Minister, as guest of honour. Mr Gergiev has close personal ties to Mr Putin - they are godfather to each others' children - and in May the Russian Prime Minister awarded the Order for Service to the conductor. The concert in the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvalii is expected to coincide with rallies demanding the recognition of South Ossetia as an independent... [read full story]
