On April, 4, UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay visited Odesa. On this day, a plaque on the inscription of the Historic Center of Odesa on the UNESCO World Heritage List was officially opened.
The plaque was placed opposite the Odesa Archaeological Museum, Pushkinska Street.
The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine Galyna Grygorenko, First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Emine Dzhaparova, as well as Mayor of the city of Odesa Gennadiy Trukhanov.
Audrey Azoulay noted that the inscription of the Historic Center of Odesa on the UNESCO List is important for the whole world.
“The inscription of Odesa on the UNESCO World Heritage List is a sign of solidarity from the world community for you to see: we support you,” she noted.
Audrey Azoulay also emphasized that UNESCO will continue to support the protection of Ukrainian cultural heritage.
Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine Galyna Grygorenko expressed gratitude to the World Heritage Committee for the decision to inscribe the Historical Center of Odesa on the UNESCO World Heritage List (in danger) under the accelerated procedure.
“The preservation of the architectural ensemble of Odesa is not only about architecture or street planning, but also about the history, people and traditions of this city. The issue of preserving culture is an integral part of national security, because the russian federation is waging the war not only for Ukrainian territories, but also against Ukrainian identity. We have all heard the words from russians about the non-existence of Ukrainians as a political nation in the 19th century during consideration of the nomination of Odesa. Protecting buildings and streets of Odesa, we preserve the Ukrainian soul of southern regions,” said Galyna Grygorenko.
She also expressed her hope that Odesa will become a platform for the implementation of best practices for building effective systems of management, protection, sustainable development, popularization and interpretation of world heritage in the interaction of all parties.
