Overcoming the Consequences of July Rocket Attacks in Odesa

From July 17 to July 24, 2023, the historic center of Odessa experienced unprecedented rocket shelling. According to the official report by UNESCO, eight cultural institutions and heritage sites were damaged: the House of Scientists, Odessa National Art Museum, Odessa Archaeological Museum, Odessa Maritime Museum, Odessa Literary Museum, Odessa Historical and Local Lore Museum, Church of St. Nicholas, Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, Chyzhevych House, and Solomos House.

In response to these devastating attacks, the ALIPH Foundation, an international alliance for the protection of cultural heritage, immediately coordinated urgent stabilization measures after each shelling incident. Efforts were made to seal broken windows, repair water drainage systems, and undertake all necessary actions to prevent further destruction of these precious landmarks. Emergency funds were promptly allocated to aid Odessa's cultural institutions.

Over the next two weeks, we successfully carried out stabilization measures at the House of Scientists, Odessa Literary Museum, Odessa Historical and Local Lore Museum, Odessa Archaeological Museum, Odessa Maritime Museum, and Stolyarsky School. Currently, work is ongoing to prepare the Defects Act for the kindergarten building on Gogol Street.

The next phase involves thorough research and assessment. Expert teams will examine the condition of the monuments following the explosive impact, often assessing hidden damages. Funding for such research has been previously agreed upon for the most affected buildings.
Upon receiving the conclusions, the implementation of recommendations may proceed with winterization works.

The final stage will be the restoration of the buildings. However, this is a long-term endeavor.
We remain committed to protecting and preserving Ukraine's cultural heritage, and together with international partners we strive to overcome the challenges posed by the rocket attacks in Odessa. Through collective efforts, we aim to restore these cherished landmarks to their former glory, safeguarding our nation's identity for future generations.