Rome and Odesa sign memorandum of understanding for the protection of cultural heritage

 ROME – The Eternal City and The Pearl by the Sea have signed, hand in hand, a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of cultural heritage, under which the Capitoline Superintendency and the city of Odesa have set up a joint working group, made up of experts from both sides, for the preservation and protection of cultural heritage.

 The Memorandum follows the meeting on July 11 between the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, and the Mayor of Odesa, Gennadiy Trukhanov, during which they highlighted their shared desire to embark on a path that would promote intercultural exchange between the two cities.

 Rome supported and provided assistance in the process that led UNESCO, on January 25, 2023, to decide to include the historic centre of Odessa on the World Heritage List. This is an important recognition by the international community, which highlights the architectural uniqueness of the city, to which many Italians have contributed since the 19th century.

 Today, this heritage is in grave danger due to the destruction caused by the war, and for this reason, the working group will have a difficult but important task in safeguarding the identity and history of Odessa.

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