In a video message addressed to the 58 Member States of the Executive Council of Unesco, the Ukrainian president formalizes the candidacy of Odessa and its historic center, targets of Russian bombardments, “so as not to turn a blind eye to the destruction of our history common”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday announced the candidacy for UNESCO World Heritage status of the historic center of the city of Odessa, renowned for its architecture and “target of Russian bombings”.
Within the framework of the Executive Council of Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the Ukrainian President addressed in a pre-recorded video message to the 58 Member States of the Council to formalize this candidacy.
Odessa, a port city on the Black Sea, famous in particular for its monumental staircases and its historic center, is a strategic point in the conflict. It has been shelled several times by Russian forces. “We must send a clear signal that the world will not turn a blind eye to the destruction of our common history, our common culture, our common heritage.and launch Volodymyr Zelensky. One of the steps should be the preservation of the historic center of Odessa – a beautiful city, an important port on the Black Sea and a source of culture for millions of people across different countries».
Zelensky explained that he sent the application file to Unesco – whose headquarters are in Paris. “Odessa, like all other cities in Ukraine, is a target of Russian bombing. Please support Odessa! Show precisely at the level of Unesco that the Russian terror must end”he urged.
“540 is the total number of objects of cultural heritage, cultural institutions and religious monuments damaged by Russian bombing in Ukraine since the start of the war on February 24”denounced the Ukrainian president.
In a press release, the director general of Unesco, Audrey Azoulay, notes that “the center of the port city of Odessa, a melting pot of exchanges and migrations, was built thanks to multiple influences. It carries a heritage and a history that resonates throughout the world and constitutes a strong symbol..
The application file will be evaluated “from the next session of the World Heritage Committee” which will “responsibility to decide on this candidacy”adds the press release without setting a date.
Across Ukraine, Unesco reports that“to date, none of the Ukrainian cultural sites benefiting from the protection of Unesco under their inscription on the World Heritage List has been bombed”.
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