Monitoring Cultural Heritage Status in Odesa
A joint mission from UNESCO and ICOMOS is currently in Odesa to assess the status of the World Heritage site.
«We are pleased to be here and ready to discuss further steps for the preservation of your heritage,» said Ms. Berta de San Cristóbal, head of the mission.
This mission was initially scheduled for 2023 but was postponed due to increased shelling. The primary goal is to evaluate the status of the site and review previously provided recommendations.
One key recommendation is to preserve the site in its original form. Experts will identify attributes and issues related to conservation and management.
International specialists noted that some problems stem from the war, while others are influenced by political factors.
«UNESCO is about history, culture, and our heritage, not politics. This is important for our lives in Odesa,» emphasized Mayor Gennady Trukhanov.
The mission will last several days, including meetings and site visits. During the war, the site has suffered about 10 significant attacks, resulting in damage to approximately 170 cultural heritage monuments.
