Ukraine and Italy join forces to preserve Odessa's cultural heritage

This week, Ukraine took an important step towards the long-term restoration of Odessa's cultural heritage — the Verkhovna Rada ratified a grant agreement with the Government of the Italian Republic, which provides for the implementation of the programme "Restoration and Preservation of the Cultural Heritage of the Odessa Region".

The parliament's decision is of strategic importance: it is aimed not only at the physical restoration of monuments, but also at strengthening the socio-economic stability of the region, preserving national identity and integrating Ukrainian culture into the international cultural space. The programme places particular emphasis on the protection of key cultural heritage sites in Odessa, in particular those with UNESCO World Heritage status.

The law ratifying the agreement was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on 15 January, with 234 MPs voting in favour. The document secures Italian grant funding and opens up opportunities to use European expertise in the field of restoration, conservation and cultural heritage management.

The government emphasises that cooperation with Italy strengthens Ukraine's cultural diplomacy and enhances its expertise and technical capabilities in the field of cultural heritage protection. The aim is to establish sustainable restoration mechanisms that will work not only during wartime but also in the post-war period.

Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture of Ukraine Tetiana Berezhna stressed that the ratification of the agreement is an investment in the country's future: the preservation of cultural monuments is seen as a component of national security, the trust of international partners and the long-term development of Ukraine.

Cultural heritage, Odessa, grant, Italy, UNESCO, cultural diplomacy, Ukraine