Deribas and Richelieu are on the list without Russian symbols

The Ukrainian Institute of National Memory has published a list of individuals and events that do and do not contain symbols of Russian imperial policy. Among them are prominent figures closely associated with Odesa, including Mechnikov, Langeron, and Myasoedov.

This was reported by the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory.

The Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance has published lists of persons and events, objects that do and do not contain symbols of Russian imperial policy. This was part of the implementation of the Law of Ukraine "On the Principles of State Policy of National Memory of the Ukrainian People" and the Law "On the Condemnation and Prohibition of Propaganda of Russian Imperial Policy in Ukraine and Decolonization of Place Names."

The lists are based on the conclusions of the Expert Commission of the Institute of National Memory and include both historical figures and cultural and scientific events. The Institute emphasized that the lists are not exhaustive and will be supplemented with new data on figures from different historical periods - from the Moscow Kingdom and the Russian Empire to the modern Russian Federation.

Among the figures that do not contain symbols of Russian imperial policy and have close ties to Odesa, the following stand out:

• Deribas Osip Mikhailovich - Admiral, naval and civilian commander in Khadjibey (future Odesa), who significantly contributed to the development of the port and the city.
• Langeron Louis Alexandre Andro - Mayor of Odesa, turned the city into a free port and cultural center, founded the Richelieu Lyceum and the Botanical Garden.
• Marazli Hryhorii Hryhorovych - Mayor of Odesa from 1878 to 1895, under his leadership the city received a water supply system, electric lighting, a horse-drawn tram, and numerous educational and cultural institutions.
• Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov (1845-1916) was a Ukrainian, Russian, and French scientist, a pioneer of comparative pathology, evolutionary embryology, immunology, and microbiology, and the founder of his own scientific school.
• Novoselsky Mykola Oleksandrovych - physician and mayor of Odesa (1867-1875), one of the founders of spa treatment in the South of Ukraine, contributed to the creation of mud baths and the construction of a water supply system.
• Richelieu Emmanuel Yosypovych - the first mayor of Odesa, a French and Russian statesman who laid the foundations for the development of the city as a major trade center.
• Koble Thomas Oleksandrovych - Major General and mayor of Odesa, organized the fight against the plague epidemic, and was involved in the development of infrastructure and agriculture.
• Ushynskyi Konstantyn Dmytrovych (1823-1871) was a Russian educator and jurist of Ukrainian origin, one of the founders of pedagogical science and public school in the Russian Empire.
• Chekhov Anton Pavlovich (1860-1904) - Russian writer and playwright of Ukrainian origin, theater reformer, whose work was closely connected with Ukraine.
• Tsiolkovsky Konstantin Eduardovich (1857-1935) - scientist-inventor, one of the pioneers of theoretical cosmonautics.
• Mikhail Semenovich Shchepkin (1788-1863) - Ukrainian and Russian actor, founder of stage realism in Russian theater, close friend of Taras Shevchenko.

A complete list of persons and events that do and do not contain symbols of Russian imperial policy is available on the website of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory. The lists are intended to help local governments implement the Law on Decolonization of Place Names and to help the public better understand Ukraine's historical heritage. The Institute emphasizes that these data do not contain glorification of Russian imperial policy and can serve as a guide for naming streets, squares and institutions in cities, including Odesa.

In May, during a live broadcast on Intent, studio guest Oleksandr Horodylov from the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory discussed the slowdown in the process of decolonization in Odesa. He emphasized that the monument to Prince Mikhail Vorontsov on Soborna Square should be dismantled, as it represents exclusively Russian imperial power as governor general. The name of the prince should also be removed from the name of the lane in the city center.

Анна Бальчінос