New Book on Odesa: History and Culture
On the eve of the City Day celebration, the UNION cultural center hosted the presentation of a new book from the series "Cities and Years" — "ODESA. History, Traditions, Love and Pain".
This publication continues a project that over the past decade has opened up to readers the lives of Ukrainian cities — from Kyiv to Kharkiv, from Lviv to Dnipro.
The book "ODESA. History, Traditions, Love and Pain" combines archival documents, photographs, and personal stories to showcase what Odessa was like and what it has become — unvarnished, filled with love and pain.
The authors include Mykhailo Poizner, Gabriel Mykhailov, Oleg Etnarovych, Oleksandr Hrabovskyi, and photographers Igor Sytnyk, Boris Bukhman, and Oleksiy Achepovskyi.
The presentation program featured live communication with the authors, a meeting with renowned local historians, discussions on the modern cultural and historical myth of Odesa, and an atmosphere of true Odesa spirit.
Odesa's Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov wrote in the book's annotation:
«Odesa is a city that exists in two dimensions: in reality and in legends. This book is not just a recounting of dates and facts, but an attempt to grasp the spirit of Odessa, its ability to regenerate and influence human destinies. From the first stone buildings to modern changes, from the heroic defense during 1941–1944 to the challenges of the 21st century, Odesa does not merely survive — it remains a symbol of resilience in the fight against fascism and Russian occupiers, an embodiment of creative energy and an endless yearning for freedom. Turn the page — before you lies Odesa.»
