Today, the German city of Mainz is hosting a significant cultural festival dedicated to Odessa.

The week's agenda promises to be rich and diverse.

The festival will commence with an exhibition titled ‘The Light of Odessa’ featuring paintings by the Odessa artists Yuri and Viktor Osetenko at St. Stephen's Church.

In preparation for the Days of Odessa Culture, the Ukrainian community in Mainz organized a literary meeting with writer and poet Maryana Haponenko, who studied Germanistics in Odessa and began publishing in German early on.

Additionally, at the Peter Cornelius Conservatory, a concert will take place featuring the bandura trio ‘Malvy’ and Mainz's ancient music ensemble.

The Odessa trio ‘Malvy’ is one of the most renowned in Ukraine, composed of talented students from the Stolyarsky Music School.

Furthermore, an evening of Ukrainian jazz will be held at Altmunster Church, with singer Nadine Russu and pianist Marina Perepelitsa performing popular jazz pieces such as Summertime and Fly Me to the Moon.

At the Ollohof club, DJ Maryna Moxx will present a Ukrainian rave for electronic music enthusiasts.

For children aged 5 to 12, the Star Ballet School has organized a special event where they will learn to dance and sing Ukrainian songs. Meanwhile, adults can enjoy a picnic in the Odessa style. The schoolyard will be transformed into a typical Moldavanka courtyard, with singer and passionate cook Kira Kaft serving traditional Odessa dishes.

The achievements of Odessa filmmakers will be honored with a screening of the historical film ‘Fortress Khadjibey’, which tells a story of Cossack heroism and love.

On the Day of Odessa and the festival's final day, a prayer for Ukraine and a grand concert will be held at St. Stephen's Cathedral.

The program will include a solo from Mykhailo Skorulskyi's ballet ‘The Forest Song’, works by great composers, and music from Ukrainian artists, including Semen Hulak-Artemovskyi.

The festival will conclude with performances by renowned Odessa musicians such as Nadiya Sheremeteva, Ninel Menshikova, Mykhailo Makarov, and Oleksandra Chekalенко.