The city of Odessa has been honored by UNESCO for the preservation of its historic center, which has been included in the World Heritage List. The event took place on April 4th, with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay visiting the city to commemorate the occasion. A memorial sign was placed next to the Maritime Museum building at the intersection of Pushkinskaya and Langeronovskaya, in recognition of the city’s cultural significance.
Odessa: A City of the World
The UNESCO Director-General praised Odessans for their efforts in preserving the historic center. Audrey Azoulay noted that the inclusion of Odessa in the World Heritage List was a gesture of solidarity from the entire world community. She further added that the need to preserve the city was of utmost importance. The city’s inclusion in the list is a testament to its global significance.
The Mayor of Odessa, Gennady Trukhanov, also attended the event and emphasized that Odessa would not become an open-air museum, but rather a living organism where business, transport, and economic processes would continue. The city’s historic center is a vital part of its identity, and its inclusion in the World Heritage List recognizes its value. While there will be limitations, as in other European cities included in the list, Odessa’s historic center will remain a vibrant and dynamic part of the city.
Preserving Cultural Heritage
The inclusion of Odessa’s historic center in the World Heritage List means that the area will be protected for future generations. UNESCO has recognized 42 objects of cultural heritage of national and local importance within the outlined boundaries. The nominated area is limited by Primorskaya Street, Torgovaya Street, Sadovaya Street, Sobornaya Square, Preobrazhenskaya Street, Zhukovskogo Street, Polsky and Karantinnaya Descent, Nakhimova Alley, and Suvorovskaya Alley in Shevchenko Park.
UNESCO’s Director-General announced that in the near future, the organization would also initiate a project for the protection of the collection of the Odessa Archaeological Museum. This project would further enhance the city’s cultural significance and contribute to the preservation of its heritage.
Odessa’s inclusion in the World Heritage List is a significant achievement and highlights the city’s importance on a global scale. Its historic center is a vital part of its identity, and its preservation for future generations is of utmost importance.
