Cultural Ties Between Odesa and Vienna: A New Chapter
Odesa's mayor, Hennadiy Trukhanov, along with the director of the Department of Culture, Ivan Liptuga, met with Mr. Ernst Woller, the first president of the Vienna Parliament, and Alena Sirka-Bred, the head of the Office of European and International Relations for the city of Vienna during a working visit.
The partnership between Odesa and Vienna has flourished over many years, particularly in the realms of culture and heritage preservation.
During the meeting, Mr. Woller shared insights about Vienna's experience in preserving architecture and monuments, as well as the management system for the UNESCO World Heritage site «Historic Centre of Vienna».
He emphasized that preserving history is crucial for future generations in every city and nation.
Austria has navigated complex periods in its history, yet it has managed to maintain its architecture, culture, and art, sometimes adapting the narratives around historical figures, but always preserving the achievements of past generations.
«Today, Vienna rightfully stands as a global capital of culture and art, while also winning top awards in smart city innovation competitions,» said Mr. Woller.
As Hennadiy Trukhanov noted, Odesa is a city rich in culture, literature, and music. This year, we also celebrate the tenth anniversary of the «Golden Violins of Odesa» festival, which will take place in Vienna.
«It is wonderful that our anniversary festival «Golden Violins of Odesa» will be held in the capital of Austria. The experience of Vienna in balancing heritage preservation with urban development is invaluable for Odesa, which is currently working on managing its World Heritage sites amid the ongoing war,» emphasized Hennadiy Trukhanov.
