A new chapter of collaboration is beginning between Ukrainian Odessa and Nova Odessa in Brazil. Mayor of Odessa, Gennady Trukhanov, hopes this will become a long-lasting story.

“The number of our friends is growing every year. This is invaluable: to have such international support in times of war. We are open to developing relationships with Nova Odessa. The names of our cities and their shared history suggest partnership, and I am sincerely surprised that it wasn't initiated earlier,” emphasized Gennady Trukhanov.

The history of Nova Odessa starts in Odessa. The city was founded on May 24, 1905, by the Minister of Agriculture of the State of São Paulo, Carlos José de Arruda Botelho, after his visit to Ukrainian Odessa. The first residents were settlers from our city.

During negotiations, Gennady Trukhanov proposed to the mayor of Nova Odessa, Claudio José Schooder, to begin the process of establishing sister city relations and to appoint an Ambassador of Odessa in Nova Odessa—a symbolic figure who would represent the Ukrainian city.

Representatives of the Nova Odessa municipality expressed their support for Ukraine and invited Odessa to participate in the annual nations' fair.

Next to Latvia, Italy, Portugal, the USA, Spain, Israel, and Japan, a stand dedicated to Ukraine may appear for the first time.

The parties also discussed events for the upcoming significant dates - Ukraine's Independence Day and the Day of the City of Odessa.

The Embassy of Ukraine in Brazil confirmed its readiness to assist in participating in all events together with local partners.