Strengthening Ties: Ukraine and Italy Collaborate
The Mayor of Odesa, Hennadiy Trukhanov, met with the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Ukraine, Carlo Formosa.
During the meeting, the mayor expressed gratitude to the ambassador for his support in facilitating the participation of Ukrainian veterans in the Venetian regatta and shared insights on the development of rehabilitation services in Odesa, particularly in adaptive sports.
The parties discussed Italy's assistance to Ukraine and the restoration of the Odesa region. Their conversation included the implementation of a grant agreement signed at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome. Under this agreement, the Italian government is providing Ukraine with €32.5 million in non-repayable aid for the restoration of six significant landmarks in Odesa, including the Art Museum, Philharmonic, Literary Museum, Marriage Palace, and the Zontag House on Primorsky Boulevard.
The Zontag House is set to become the UNESCO Heritage Management Center—a coordination and resource hub for preserving our city's cultural heritage.
Italy supports Odesa not only financially but also through expertise: a joint working group has been established with specialists from the Roman Superintendency, educational programs in restoration have commenced, and a sustainable heritage management project has been initiated.
Additionally, the Italian delegation arrived in Odesa to congratulate the winners of the First International Opera Singers Competition RECITAR CANTANDO (“Acting through Singing”), held with the support of the Italian Embassy in Ukraine. A gala concert will take place today on the legendary stage of the Odesa National Opera.
