Odessa‘s Cultural Heritage Faces Demolition Debate
A controversy is brewing in Odessa as the city council has approved the demolition of 12 monuments, including a bust of renowned poet Alexander Pushkin, a site protected by UNESCO.
A Call for Preservation Amidst Disagreement
From the broadcast of the recent city council meeting, it’s evident that deputies unanimously approved changes to the budget, allocating additional funds for the demolition project.
The targeted monuments have been categorized as containing “imperial symbols.” Alongside the Pushkin bust, a life-size monument of the poet located on Italianskaya Street is also slated for removal.
The bust of Pushkin on Primorsky Boulevard, erected in 1889 with the generous donations of Odessa residents, holds a special place in the city’s history.
This decision to demolish the Pushkin monument has sparked opposition. In August, Odessa Mayor Gennady Trukhanov expressed his disapproval, stating, “The monument is the history of the city, which is known throughout the world.”
Furthermore, the local department of culture emphasized that demolishing the bust would require permission from UNESCO.
An Urgent Appeal to Protect Odessa’s History
In a demonstration of growing concern, 115 cultural, artistic, and scientific figures from Ukraine penned a letter to Audrey Azule, Director General of UNESCO. They requested her to send an urgent appeal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, imploring him to protect Odessa’s cultural heritage.
The letter highlighted a critical concern: the decisions concerning the monuments were made without public consultation. Ukrainians only became aware of these plans after the publication of relevant documents in the media.
The letter strongly criticizes these actions, describing them as “‘arbitrary and authoritarian dismantling of the tangible and intangible world heritage of Odessa.'”
The fate of these monuments, particularly the Pushkin bust, remains uncertain. The contrasting viewpoints underscore the complexities of grappling with historical legacies and the importance of thoughtful dialogue in navigating such sensitive issues.
What are the arguments for preserving the monuments in Odessa?
## Odessa’s Cultural Heritage: Preservation or Erasure?
**Host:** Welcome back to the program. Tonight we’re diving into a hot-button issue in Odessa, Ukraine, where the city council has approved the removal of 12 monuments, sparking a heated debate over cultural preservation. Joining us tonight is Professor Anya Petrova, a historian specializing in Ukrainian art and architecture. Professor Petrova, thank you for being here.
**Professor Petrova:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** As our viewers know, among the monuments slated for demolition is a bust of Alexander Pushkin, a revered figure in Russian literature, and a site protected by UNESCO. This has ignited a lot of controversy. Can you shed some light on the situation?
**Professor Petrova:** Certainly. What we’re witnessing in Odessa exemplifies a broader trend across Ukraine in grappling with its Soviet past and its complex relationship with Russia. The removal of monuments, particularly those associated with Russian figures, has become a contentious issue.
**Host:** You mentioned the Soviet past. Can you elaborate on how this connection plays into the current debate?
**Professor Petrova:** Well, many of these monuments were erected during the Soviet era, often as a tool to promote a particular narrative about history and identity. The current Ukrainian government sees these monuments as symbols of Russian imperialism and oppression, advocating for their removal as part of a decolonization process. [[1](https://www.rt.com/russia/569061-odessa-monument-demolition-catherine/)]
**Host:** So, there are different interpretations of these monuments and what they represent. You have those advocating for their removal, and those who see them as important historical artifacts.
**Professor Petrova:** Precisely. There are legitimate arguments on both sides. Those advocating for preservation argue that destroying these monuments amounts to erasing history, and they fear that removing them sets a dangerous precedent for cultural censorship. Others contend that these monuments glorify oppressive regimes and perpetuate historical inaccuracies, and their presence is a constant reminder of past traumas.
**Host:** This is clearly a complex issue with no easy answers.
**Professor Petrova:** Indeed. Finding a balanced approach that respects both history and the sensitivities of the present remains a challenge.
**Host:** Professor Petrova, thank you for sharing your expertise and offering such valuable insight into this important issue.
**Professor Petrova:** My pleasure.