On September 2, during the City Day celebrations, a traditional award ceremony took place at the Birzha Square, honoring outstanding figures of the Odessa city community. 
The title of «Honorary Citizen of Odessa» was awarded to Ruven Mordkovich Schwartzman.
Ruven Schwartzman is a person who endured the horrors of the ghetto without losing hope. He dedicated his life to public service, fighting for justice, and preserving the memory of Holocaust victims. His voice, particularly during his speech in the German Bundestag, aids Ukraine in gaining genuine support from international partners.

The Honorary Recognition of the Odessa Mayor «ODESSA» was awarded to Mariluize Beck, director of the Center for Liberal Modernity for Eastern and Central Europe. She received this award for her comprehensive support of Odessa residents during wartime, significant contributions to fostering cooperation with German partners, and maintaining Odessa's positive image in Europe.

The Honorary Recognition of the Odessa Mayor «ODESSA» was also awarded to Mr. Paul Goggin, a city council member and former mayor of Bristol, for his unwavering support of Odessa residents during the war. Paul Goggin brought two fire trucks as gifts to Odessa for City Day.

The Honorary Recognition named after Grigory Grigorovich Marazli II degree was awarded to Leonid Kryuchkov, chairman of the supervisory board of LLC «STIKON», Honorary Citizen of Odessa. This award was presented for his many years of diligent work, high professionalism, and significant contributions to the development of the construction sector, restoration of housing stock, cultural heritage sites, and social infrastructure in the city.