This week, the agreement between Italy and UNESCO was signed, marking an important step in the restoration of the Transfiguration Cathedral, damaged by Russian shelling of Odesa last summer.
The Italian Government Delegation, headed by David La Chechilia, a special envoy on the reconstruction and strengthening of Ukraine’s stability, during an official visit to Odesa announced the allocation of EUR 500,000 for priority repair works, as reported by the Odesa City Council, Ukrinform wrote.
“With the beginning of Italy’s presidency of G7, from January 1, 2024, the issue of reconstruction of Ukraine has become one of the priorities of the Group of Seven,” said La Chechilia.
The delegation also plans to sign a tripartite memorandum on cooperation on the reconstruction of Odesa (Italy – Ukraine – UNESCO), as well as a separate memorandum between Italy and Ukraine, where priority areas of cooperation will be laid down.
UNESCO Coordinator for Ukraine Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi outlined the main areas of cooperation, including urgent stabilization of damaged monuments, drafting a master plan for the management of cultural heritage objects, and developing recommendations and protocols for the protection and development of Odesa, given the principles of sustainable development.
The Supervisory Board will be created to accomplish these tasks, which will include representatives of all parties to the Memorandum, as well as strategic, technical, and research committees. The Research Committee, in particular, will be joined by academics from the Polytechnic Institute of Milan, the Triennale Museum in Milan, and the National Museum of Contemporary Art and Architecture in Rome.
It should be recalled that on July 23, 2023, Russian troops launched a massive missile strike on Odesa, which damaged 25 architectural monuments, including the Transfiguration Cathedral. The cathedral got half of the roof destroyed, the central piles and the foundation broken, and all windows shattered. Thanks to rescuers and clergymen, some icons remained intact.
