UKRAINIAN CORNER: Walking the streets of Odesa

Top left: The Potemkin Stairs. Top right: The Steve Jobs Monument. Bottom left: The Darth Vader Statue. Bottom right: The Odesa catacombs.

By Tetiana Didkovska

Today, I invite you to explore my favourite city, Odesa – the Ukrainian "Pearl by the Sea." This vibrant city is rich in history and charm. For centuries, Odesa has been a major trade and tourist center in Ukraine and is home to the country’s largest seaport. A picturesque European resort town, Odesa retains its unique character, and its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The first settlement on the site of modern Odesa was known as Kotsyubiyiv, later renamed Khadzhibey until Catherine II officially named it Odesa in 1795. The name has since spread worldwide. For instance, in the United States, cities named Odesa exist in Washington, Delaware, Missouri, Minnesota, Florida, New York, Nebraska and Texas. Even Canada’s provinces of Ontario and Saskatchewan have their own versions of Odesa.

Now, let’s take a stroll through this uniquely Ukrainian city, starting with one of its iconic landmarks, the Potemkin Stairs. These famous steps lead from the city to the sea. Over the years, the stairs have had different names. Originally known as the Richelieu Stairs and later as the Boulevard Stairs, they became "Potemkin" after featuring prominently in the classic film Battleship Potemkin.

This monumental staircase was a gift from Prince Vorontsov to his wife, Elizaveta. With a length of 142 metres and 192 steps, the Potemkin Stairs are among the ten most beautiful staircases in Europe. Every year, Odesa hosts the "Up the Potemkin Stairs" race with the record for climbing all 192 steps standing at 22.8 seconds. In recognition of its cinematic legacy, the Potemkin Stairs were designated a "Treasure of European Film Culture" by the European Film Academy in 2015.

In 1902, Ukraine’s first funicular was installed beside the Potemkin Stairs in Odesa. Though modernized, the funicular remains a vital part of city transport and offers a beautiful view of the seaport from its windows.

Another unique feature of Odesa is its numerous cat sculptures – 21 in total. These metal cats can be found across the city, including on General Petrov Street, Torgovaya Street, Mayakovsky Alley, Lanzheron Beach and in Victory Park. Exploring Odesa in search of all these feline figures adds an extra layer of fun, and along the way, you'll discover some unusual monuments, such as:

• The Steve Jobs Monument – located on Novoselsky Street, installed by students of the technical university.

• The Darth Vader Statue – an amusing piece on the grounds of the Pressmash plant.

Odesa offers activities for all types of visitors. For those seeking relaxation, the Black Sea beaches provide a perfect place to unwind. For adventurers, the Odesa catacombs present a unique opportunity. Spanning over 3,000 kilometres, this network of underground passages is the longest in the world. Legends about Odesa's past criminals, including the bandit, Mykhailo Vinnytskyi, also known as "Mishka the Japanese," still echo within these catacombs. According to lore, Mishka hid a stash of gold and other treasures in these tunnels, hiding the loot from his smuggling activities.

Above all, Odesa is known as Ukraine’s capital of good humour. Every year on April 1, the city celebrates Humorina, a festival dedicated to humour and satire. The event transforms the city with a vibrant parade featuring comedians, actors and acrobats in colourful costumes. The streets come alive with humourous performances and food festivals offering sweets for every taste.

Odesans are welcomed with warmth and a great sense of humour. The locals, skilled in the art of bargaining, love to interact with newcomers and showcase their charismatic city. After experiencing Odesa’s charm, I am sure you'll be captivated by its spirit and will want to return. To be continued …