On the occasion of City Day, Odesa’s mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov reviewed the year's achievements and honored prominent figures in culture and art with the 'Cultural Capital' award.

"During times of war, culture serves not only as a source of inspiration but also as an unyielding force that unites us. The ideas and emotions you convey through your art provide support to our fellow citizens, heal wounds, and offer hope for a brighter tomorrow. You are laying the groundwork for the restoration and development of our country in the future," said Gennadiy Trukhanov.

Supporting artists during this time is incredibly important. Their talent and creativity help restore national pride and bolster the economy.

Each project, exhibition, or concert presents an opportunity for all of us to feel unity and affirm that we are together in the struggle for peace and prosperity.

The 'Cultural Capital' award recipients are:

- Iryna Biriukova, General Director of the Odesa National Scientific Library, Honored Worker of Culture of Ukraine;

- Dmytro Velychko, Honored Artist of Ukraine, Dean of the Fine Arts Faculty at the South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after K. D. Ushynsky;

- Volodymyr Vrublevskyi, conductor and director of the project 'VLASNE. Ukrainian Project: four centuries of Ukrainian music from Bortnyansky to Vakarchuk', maestro of the Odesa National Opera;

- Stas Zhalobniuk, one of the brightest and most original artists of Odesa;
- Oleksandr Samusenko, Chief Director of the Odesa Academic Ukrainian Musical Drama Theater named after Vasyl Vasylko;

- Tetyana Ivanova, Ukrainian actress, clown, volunteer;

- Semion Kantor, art historian, art critic, who led the Museum of Contemporary Art in 2008;

- Pavlo Kozlenko, Honored Worker of Culture of Ukraine, public figure, candidate of philosophical sciences, director of the Genocide Museum 'Territory of Memory';

- Mykhailo Reva, Honored Artist of Ukraine, sculptor, founder of RevaFoundation, co-founder of the charity fund 'Future';

- Esfir Serpionova, artist, master of Ukrainian decorative applied arts, candidate of pedagogical sciences.