Instead, the mayor is Gennadiy Trukhanov called supporters of the dismantling of the statue of Catherine II to join online consultations and "not erase history, but rethink it."
Therefore, according to him, for monuments that glorify Russia or that are related to its imperial narratives, a separate place should be set aside in the city for arranging a theme park.
"I am sure that a single park complex of the "Imperial and Soviet past" should be created in Odesa. Where should a part of Odessa's architectural monuments be moved," Trukhanov sums up.
Such a statement was made public by the mayor of Odesa on the eve of the authorities' online consultations with local residents regarding the fate of the monument to the "founders of Odesa" - according to their results will form the main positions for general voting among Odessans.
A day before public discussions, a protest was held near the sculpture. Photo: Serhii Smolentsev / Dumska
Previously unknown painted this monument with red paint. An inscription appeared at its foot, equating the Russian empress with Vladimir Putin.
The day before the start of the public discussion at the sculpture got together activists with posters. They called on the city administration to dismantle the monument, citing historical facts that testify to the destruction of everything Ukrainian by the Russian empress.
"Kateryna did what Putin is doing now," — said one of the participants of the promotion for the Dumska publication.
Rally in Odessa. Photo: Serhii Smolentsev / Dumska
Activists are asking to demolish the monument to Catherine II, because she "did what Putin is doing now." Photo: Serhii Smolentsev / Dumska
We will remind, the day before the mayor of Odesa, Gennadiy Trukhanov said, who does not want to demolish the monument to Catherine II.
Later, the Odesa OVA advised the mayor's office after all remove from the streets of the city the sculptures of Catherine II and Suvorov, since they do not have the status of objects of cultural heritage, and therefore their dismantling does not require any permits and approvals.
Monument to Catherine II and her companions. Photo: open sources
It is worth noting that the monument to Catherine II and her associates was built in 1900 according to the project of architect Yuriy Dmytrenko, sculptor Mykhailo Popov and Boris Edwards. During the times of Soviet power, the sculpture was dismantled, in 2007 it was returned to its place.
For in words historian Oleksandr Babich, the city (historical name – Khadzhibey) existed even before the beginning of the reign of the Russian empress, therefore the narrative about the founding of Odessa is erroneous. Catherine II simply renamed the city, and its "foundation" actually consisted only in the development of the local port after the occupation.
It is interesting that the Russian empress has never been to Odessa.
The main event is a rally in Odesa on September 18, 2022. Photo: Society Odesa
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