Hennadii Trukhanov — A Symbol of Leadership: “Person of the Year 2024” Award Given to Odesa’s Mayor
The award ceremony for the 'Person of the Year 2024' took place in Kyiv, celebrating outstanding professional and social accomplishments of citizens. The event was hosted by well-known TV personalities Kateryna Osadcha and Yuriy Horbunov.
The 'Mayor of the Year' nomination recognizes leaders who have made substantial contributions to their cities' development, infrastructure improvement, and the enhancement of residents' quality of life.
The award was presented to Hennadiy Trukhanov by Mykhailo Pozhivanov, a four-term member of parliament and the mayor of Mariupol from 1994 to 1998, who expressed his honor in congratulating the best mayor in Ukraine.
“Today, Odesa is a city that actively supports the military, housing around 100,000 temporarily displaced persons, and skillfully addresses all challenges,” added Pozhivanov.
Hennadiy Trukhanov expressed gratitude for the award, which symbolizes trust:
“I am thankful to every Odesan and every Ukrainian working for the good of their community. This recognition is for all of us in resilient Odesa. Odesa-Mother, which cares for everyone: the displaced, the military, and those in need of warmth and support. Our team works daily: we assist the Armed Forces, create rehabilitation bases, prepare the city for the wellness season, and launch new initiatives like the Barrier-Free Council established with veterans,” emphasized Trukhanov.
During his speech, the mayor of Odesa thanked the military and invited them to Odesa for wellness treatment. He also shared his deepest pain:
“It has been said how hard it is to bury comrades. But I will say directly: the hardest is burying children we pull from the rubble. This cannot be forgiven. Every murderer will face punishment - earthly and heavenly,” said Trukhanov, stressing that victory will surely belong to Ukraine.
“Odesa is strong. Odesa is alive. And we will hold on - for those who are with us, and for those we have lost,” concluded Hennadiy Trukhanov.
