PARIS, JANUARY 26 – “The City and Port of Odesa” are officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, it was announced during the Extraordinary Session of the World Heritage Committee, which was held in Paris at the UNESCO headquarters.
Italy supported the Ukrainian candidacy and provided the Kiev government with technical assistance in order to quickly fulfil the registration requirements. In recent months, a coordination table shared by the Italian and Ukrainian Ministries of Culture worked to prepare the required technical documentation, taking advantage of the experience developed by the UNESCO branch of the Italian Ministry.
“Odesa, a free city, a world city, a legendary port that has left its mark on cinema, literature and the arts, is thus placed under the reinforced protection of the international community. While the war continues, this inscription embodies our collective determination to ensure that this city, which has always surmounted global upheavals, is preserved from further destruction”, said Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.
According to the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, “Odesa’s inclusion on the World Heritage List brings testimony to the duty of the international community to support a cultural site seriously endangered by the ongoing conflict. This recognition establishes that Odesa is the heritage of all humanity, which, from today on, is called to a strengthened vigilance for its protection. Also in light of the historical relationship that binds us to Odesa, Italy is proud to have contributed to this result, through its effective and determined action as a member of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. In light of today’s success, we will strive with ever increasing attention and commitment to the activities of the World Heritage Committee”.
“Congratulations to the Ukrainian Government and the Minister of Culture, Oleksandr Tkachenko, to whom I promised Italy’s support. Odesa has a historical link with our nation: we are proud to have contributed to the recognition of the exceptional and universal value of its cultural heritage, especially in this very moment when it is seriously threatened by the Russian invasion”, declared the Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano. (@OnuItalia)
