Celebrating Cultural Contributors in Odesa
During the City Day celebration, Odesa's mayor, Hennadiy Trukhanov, presented the "Cultural Capital" award to distinguished figures in culture and art based on the year's achievements.
"In times of war, culture serves not only as a source of inspiration but also as an unyielding force that unites us. The ideas and emotions you express through your creativity become support for our fellow citizens, heal wounds, and give hope for a better future. You lay the groundwork for the restoration and development of our country," said Hennadiy Trukhanov.
Supporting artists during this time is incredibly important. Their talent and creativity not only aid in restoring national pride but also bolster the economy.
Every project, exhibition, or concert is an opportunity for all of us to feel unity and affirm that we are together in the fight for peace and prosperity.
The "Cultural Capital" award recipients include:
- Iryna Biryukova, General Director of the Odesa National Scientific Library, Honored Worker of Culture of Ukraine;
- Dmytro Velychko, Honored Figure of Arts of Ukraine, Dean of the Artistic and Graphic Faculty of the South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University;
- Volodymyr Vrublevskyi, conductor of the "VLASNE. Ukrainian Project: Four Centuries of Ukrainian Music", maestro of the Odesa National Opera;
- Stas Zhalobniuk, one of the most brilliant artists in Odesa;
- Oleksandr Samusenko, Chief Director of the Odesa Academic Ukrainian Musical Drama Theatre;
- Tetyana Ivanova, Ukrainian actress, clown, and volunteer;
- Semen Kantor, art critic who headed the Museum of Contemporary Art in 2008;
- Pavlo Kozlenko, Honored Worker of Culture of Ukraine, public figure, and candidate of philosophical sciences;
- Mykhailo Reva, Honored Artist of Ukraine, sculptor, and founder of the RevaFoundation;
- Esfir Serpionova, artist and master of Ukrainian decorative applied arts.
