Large-scale renaming of streets in Odeshchyna: without “political prisoners”, but with “Utesov”
Kyiv • UNN
Odessa authorities have decided to rename 84 streets, including well-known places. The aim is to break associations with the Soviet past and strengthen the Ukrainian identity, which caused mixed reactions from residents.
In Odessa, a large-scale campaign to rename streets and other toponyms related to decommunization and removal of symbols of the Russian and Soviet past continues. This year, the Odessa regional administration decided to rename 84 streets, including such famous places as Duma Square, Pushkin Street, Zhvanetsky Boulevard, and Ilf and Petrov Street, reports UNN.
Details
The purpose of these changes is to break associations with Russian and Soviet history and strengthen Ukrainian cultural and historical identity. For example, Pushkin Street will become Italian Street, Zhvanetsky Boulevard will be renamed Navy Boulevard, and Duma Square will be called Birzhevaya Square.
Some streets will be named after famous Ukrainian figures and historical events. For example, Zhukovskyy Street will be renamed Lesya Ukrainka Street, and Babel Street will become Dmytro Ivanov Street.
It is worth noting that in total, the recommendations to the authorities of Odessa Region included the renaming of 91 streets. But seven streets remained unchanged. In particular, the street of Leonid Utesov, a Soviet artist who dedicated one of his songs “By the Black Sea” to Odessa. As is known, the song is so beloved by Odessa residents that it is considered the city's informal anthem.
At the same time, many street names have really lost their relevance. For example, the streets “Politkatorzhan”, “Hradonachalnitskaya”, “Armeyskaya”. Many of them will now immortalize the defenders of Ukraine.
The most controversial was the renaming of Duma Square, Zhvanetskaya Street, Babel Street, and Ilf and Petrov Street. Streets, which, in the opinion of many residents of Odessa, created the city's flavor. Instead of Dumskaya Square there will now be Birzhevaya Square, instead of Ilf and Petrov - the Glodan family (who died from Russian attacks), and Zhvanetsky Boulevard will be renamed into the Boulevard of Naval Forces.
Also in Odessa will appear streets Lesya Ukrainka, Mendel Moishe Sforim and Dmitry Pavlichka.
This process has provoked different reactions among local residents. Some support the changes as a step towards strengthening national identity, while others express dissatisfaction, believing that it will create difficulties in orientation and daily life.
Recall
Street renaming is part of a broader decommunization strategy that began in Ukraine in 2015 and continues to be actively implemented in various cities across the country.
It is worth noting that the local authorities are engaged in decommunization not of their own free will. The law on the prohibition and condemnation of Russian imperial policy and recommendations of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance bind them to this.
