The struggle for the demolition of the monument to Catherine II continues in Odessa. The mayor of the city is trying to save the sculpture of the representative of the occupiers.
Gennady Trukhanov said that consultations with the residents of the city are ongoing in the format of an Internet conference. Based on its results, the main positions for voting will be formed.
“I strongly urge all residents of Odessa, including supporters of the demolition of the monument, to take advantage of the democratic procedure. Odessa is a front-line city united in its determination to repel the invaders,” Trukhanov wrote.
What Trukhanov proposes
The mayor of Odessa said that he had repeatedly expressed his attitude towards the monument to Catherine II and other objects related to the imperial and Soviet period of Ukrainian history. According to Trukhanov, there is no need to be selective in your history.
History should not be rewritten, but rethought. I am sure that a unified park complex of the “Imperial and Soviet past” should be created in Odessa. Where part of the architectural monuments of Odessa should be moved, Trukhanov said.
He added that now we need to work to help future generations form their attitude to the past.
Protest
On September 18, a protest rally was held under the monument to Catherine II in Odessa. People came with posters and lined up under the monument. At the rally there were such slogans: “Putin = Ekaterina”, “Killer”, “Russian should not be among Ukrainians.” Subsequently, law enforcement officers came to the protesters. After talking with them, people dispersed.
Protest action/Public photo
Did Catherine II really founded Odessa
The monument is called “Monument to the founders of Odessa”. Although in fact, Catherine II destroyed the Zaporozhian Sich and introduced serfdom in Ukraine, occupied the Ottoman city of Khadzhibey. It is important that he has never been to Odessa.
Historian Alexander Babich noted that the Russian Empress simply renamed the city. As for the alleged “restriction on the founding of Odessa”, it is actually a restriction on the construction of a local port.
