About Odesa

Odesa is the administrative regional center of the oblast of the same name in Southern Ukraine. The city is located on the northwestern coast of the Black Sea, at the intersection of the main international routes from Europe to Asia, and occupies a favorable geographical location not only in Ukraine, but also on the Eurasian continent.

The city of Odesa is one of the main economic centers of Ukraine, a modern transport and logistics hub with a developed infrastructure; a seaport with a powerful industrial complex; a large industrial, scientific, trade, cultural and tourist-recreational center of the Black Sea region. The seaside and border location provides the city and the entire region with favorable opportunities for the effective development of international cooperation and foreign economic activity. The population is more than 1 million people.

Odesa is a unique Ukrainian city on the shores of the Black Sea, known throughout the world.
This uniqueness lies in its geographical location, as an eternal bridge between Ukrainian fields and the endless sea, where the traditions of Ukrainian chumatism and international trade are combined.
This uniqueness lies in its multiculturalism, the combination of cultures and traditions brought here by representatives of many nationalities, which is reflected in all areas – from urban planning to the mentality of its inhabitants.
The uniqueness of Odessa is Odessans of different nationalities who have created a unique Odessa heritage.

The port city of Odessa is a European city that is not only planned according to European standards, using the most progressive urban planning ideas at the time, with the involvement of European specialists in the planning and management of project implementation, but also one that has created its own unique urban culture.

Developing as a trade port, Odesa demonstrated rapid economic and demographic growth and in one century became the economic, political and cultural center of the Northern Black Sea region.

Odesa as a port city in the middle of the 19th century became the center of transit and intermediary trade of the countries of Europe, the Near and Middle East, the main center of bread export in the region.

Since its founding, Odesa has been one of the most developed cities: planned, cobbled streets; advanced for its time water supply systems; sewage and electric elevator; electrification, tram network; the first railway in the South of the country.
Developed communal infrastructure, high level of education, active social policy of local authorities (public schools, hospitals for the poor, etc.) and large-scale charity (over 100 charitable societies, dozens of guardianships, shelters, free canteens at the beginning of the 20th century) led to a high level and quality of life.

Patronage traditions established by the city’s founding fathers and local merchants, a network of educational institutions, among which the university stood out; music and art schools that trained creative intelligentsia; a network of museums and theaters; multinational composition of the population formed a unique and unique cultural background in Odesa, as a result of which Odesa has set the tone in national science and culture since the first decades of its existence.
Geographical location and special economic privileges determined the national diversity of Odessa’s population – in search of a better fate, they migrated here from different parts of the world. The city acquired a cosmopolitan character and formed a special colorful ethnic composition of the population. A prominent role in the arrangement and development of Odessa was played by foreigners in public service – European political and military figures, artists and businessmen.

Odesa has combined the cultures and traditions of representatives of more than 130 nationalities. Despite such a diversity of the population, differing in religious views, forms of life and customs, Odesa has always been and remains a peaceful, free city.

The formation of Odessa as a multinational city was reflected in the emergence of ethno-confessional churches and is preserved today in many toponyms: Bulgarian, Great and Small Arnaut, Greek, Georgian, Jewish, Indian, Spanish, Caucasian, Polish streets, French and Italian boulevards. Recently, new parks have appeared in Odessa: Istanbul, Greek and Azerbaijan.
Since 2017, Odesa has been a member of the Council of Europe’s International Program “Intercultural Cities” (ISS) and embodies a new model of ethnocultural diversity management and intercultural integration of immigrants and national minorities into the social and cultural life of the city.
Odessa was built by Europeans and in European style. Europeans brought the spirit of freedom to the city. The freedom-loving spirit of Odessa was also reflected in the work of Odessa artists – writers, publicists, and artists. The biographies and works of hundreds of outstanding writers and poets are historically connected with Odessa. However, Odesa itself found its reflection in many literary works, becoming not only a famous city, but also a colorful artistic image. The city became known throughout the world and acquired many poetic names: “Southern Palmyra”, “Pearl of the Black Sea”, “Odesa-mother”, “Smile of God”…

In 2019, UNESCO included Odesa in the list of creative cities of the world in the field of literature. In addition, Odesa is the birthplace of national football and the universally recognized capital of humor. That is why Odessa is often called “not the first, but not the second city of the country.”

Modern Odesa is an industrial, transport, educational, scientific and cultural center of Southern Ukraine, as well as a well-known tourist and recreation center.

Odesa is proud of the achievements of its talented scientists and scientists, the achievements of many of whom are known throughout the world. More than 20 institutions of higher education operate on the territory of modern Odessa, half of which have the status of “national”. The large scientific and technical potential of the city – academies, universities, institutes, scientific research institutional structures, vocational colleges and schools – allow to train qualified specialists, scientific and working personnel in a wide range of specialties and directions every year.

Odesa is a famous resort city, a well-known center of medical tourism, which is very popular among residents of all regions of Ukraine and other countries. The high qualification of Odessa doctors, healing air, sea beaches and developed tourist infrastructure make Odessa an attractive place for treatment, sanatorium-resort rehabilitation and recreation. The world-famous Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy named after V.P. Filatova, the mud resort “Kuyalnik” unique in terms of its healing properties and many other medical, sanatorium-resort and health facilities of highly specialized medical care for children and adults.

Odesa is often considered the tourist mecca of Southern Ukraine. In order to preserve the status of Odesa as a tourist pearl, in recent years, restoration work was carried out at many outstanding architectural monuments, comfortable conditions for recreation were created, and the hotel and restaurant business was developing. Millions of tourists visited Odessa every year, and the city warmly welcomed guests, offering more than 50 museums and galleries for acquaintance and relaxation, including the legendary Odessa catacombs, dozens of theaters and cinemas, beaches and health complexes, entertainment centers, numerous parks and squares. Guests of Odesa tried to visit the pearl of architecture, the world-famous Odesa National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet, walk along Primorsky Boulevard and the famous Deribasivska Street, walk up the famous Potemkin Stairs and feel the fresh sea air by visiting Odesa Port.

One of the most significant historical and intercultural features of Odessa is its unique architecture. Odesa is one of the three cities of Ukraine with the largest number of objects of cultural and historical value. In general, more than a thousand monuments in Odessa have the status of objects of cultural heritage.

Glorious architecture is an invaluable asset of Odessa and reflects the history and multifaceted culture of the city. Representatives of dozens of nationalities participated in the creation of unique Odessa heritage. Currently, this unique heritage belongs not only to Ukraine, but also to Europe, the entire civilized world.

Odessans are proud of their traditions of courage and patriotism. Odesa was awarded the title of “Hero City” in recognition of the feat of Odessa residents and defenders of the city during the Second World War. Since the beginning of the Russian aggression, the residents of the city, joining the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the territorial defense and the volunteer movement, have proven that modern Odessans deserve this title!

Today, when Odesa is under the threat of enemy missile attacks, it is very important to preserve this heritage for future generations. The rescue and preservation of Odessa’s architectural heritage, in the creation of which famous architects participated, became one of the main priorities of the authorities and Odessans from the very beginning of the war.

Thousands of citizens came every day to Odesa’s beaches to prepare sandbags to protect the world-famous monuments of their native city.

At the same time, continuous work was carried out on the preparation of the nomination file for the inclusion of the historical center of Odesa in the main UNESCO World Heritage List. It was a difficult path, and Odesa received unprecedented global support.

In January 2023, at the UNESCO session, an end was put to the issue that had been resolved for decades. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has decided to include the historic center of the port city of Odesa, which is under threat, on the World Heritage List. This historic decision recognizes the outstanding universal value of the site and the duty of all mankind to protect it. From now on, Odesa is actually under the blue protection shield of UNESCO. UNESCO’s protection guarantees are the preservation of the unique identity of a large Ukrainian city, where free people live, where there is no place for slavery and barbarism, and where European democratic values ​​are prominent.

Odesa remained faithful to its traditions and customs. The city, which has always been famous for its identity and hospitality, today prides itself on its unity. At all times, regardless of nationality, Odessans knew how to fight for their rights and freedoms, unite to protect their native city and country.

The city of strong and free people has now rallied even more strongly in the fight for democracy and independence of Ukraine. In times of crisis, Odesa became a second home for thousands of families. Because what could be more valuable than saving the lives of people who seek peace in their native country.

The city with an incredible history, original European spirit and values ​​remains a unique Ukrainian city where incredible people live. 
Residents of the city are confident that after Ukraine’s victory, Odesa will once again become the capital of entrepreneurship, a cultural and architectural gem of the country, a modern European city with a unique and unique spirit in a peaceful and independent Ukraine.