The Mayor of Odesa, Gennady Trukhanov, met with the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Italy to Ukraine, Mr. Carlo Formosa.

During the meeting, the mayor expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador for his support in organizing the participation of Ukrainian veterans in the Venetian regatta and informed him about the development of rehabilitation services in Odesa, particularly in adaptive sports.

They discussed Italy's assistance to Ukraine and the recovery of the Odesa region. Specifically, the implementation of a grant agreement signed at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome was highlighted. Under this agreement, the Italian government is providing Ukraine with 32.5 million euros in non-repayable assistance for the restoration of six significant landmarks in Odesa, including the Art Museum, Philharmonic Hall, Literary Museum, Marriage Palace, and the Zontag House on Primorsky Boulevard.

The Zontag House will host a UNESCO Heritage Management Center, which will serve as a coordination and resource hub for preserving our city's cultural heritage.

Italy supports Odesa not only financially but also with expertise: a joint working group has been established with specialists from the Roman Superintendency, educational programs in restoration have been launched, and a project for sustainable heritage management is underway.

Moreover, the Italian delegation arrived in Odesa to congratulate the winners of the First International Opera Singers Competition RECITAR CANTANDO (“Acting with Song”), which was held with the support of the Italian Embassy in Ukraine. The gala concert will take place today on the legendary stage of the Odesa National Opera.