A conversation in the Odesa gazebo turned into a language scandal

Odesa is once again in the spotlight - not because of personnel changes in the city council or international investment, but because of an issue that has been on the table since the beginning of the war: what language is spoken here. The incident in the city park has once again raised the topic of language tension, which periodically flares up even in peaceful everyday life.

This week's focus: what language is spoken in Odesa

• An ordinary verbal altercation in the park turned into a very important and still hot topic - what language is spoken in Odesa.
• Whether the quarrel started because of the language is unclear. Did the Ukrainian language become the main factor for insults and threats - most likely yes. Read more in the emphasis of this week's Intent.
• In Odesa, the situation with the Ukrainian language has become much better, although the struggle on the part of the conditional Russophile contingent is still ongoing, says Intent's interlocutor Pavlo Derevyanko. The full version of the interview can be read and watched.
• The administrator of the pro-Russian telegram channel "Typical Odesa" Oleksandr Sinitsyn is included in the sanctions list according to the decree of the President of Ukraine.

Odesa City Council is getting more staff

Andriy Gerasymenko. Photo: Odesa City Hall

• Odesa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov has appointed an acting director of the new Department of Architecture, Urban Planning and Land Relations of the Odesa City Council, who is also the city's chief architect. The department is temporarily headed by Nadiya Novikova, who was transferred by the mayor in March from the position of director of the Department of Land Resources to head the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning.
• On May 5, Hennadiy Trukhanov signed a decree appointing the director of the Department for Mobilization Training, Military Registration and Defense of the Odesa City Council. In fact, the mayor transferred Andriy Gerasymenko to this position, who had headed the department of mobilization and defense work of the Odesa City Council before the department was created.
• On May 8, it became known that an extraordinary session of the Odesa City Council would be held on May 13. Several issues will be considered by the deputies. In particular, it is about amending the city target program "Unbreakable Odesa" for 2024-2026, adjusting the budget of the city territorial community for 2025, as well as transferring new powers to the municipal enterprise"Heat Supply of Odesa" to perform the functions of the customer for the construction of municipal property. Intent will broadcast the event online.

Intent found out when water tariffs will rise in Odesa

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• After the end of martial law, water tariffs in Odesa are planned to increase from the current 35 hryvnias to 55 hryvnias 44 kopecks per cubic meter.
• The current tariff of 35 hryvnias was set before the outbreak of full-scale war, and it no longer corresponds to the actual costs of the company for water supply and sewage.
• The increase in the tariff is also due to the significant level of consumer debt. While as of January 1, 2022, the total debt to Infoksvodokanal amounted to UAH 315 million, it has now increased to UAH 462 million, and in some months it has almost reached half a billion.
• The bulk of the debt - 329 million, or 71% - is owed by households.

Italy will give 63 million euros for three large-scale projects for Odesa region

• On May 7, it became known that Italy would finance three large-scale projects in the Odesa region totaling more than €63 million.
• The first agreement provides for a €27.5 million grant for the restoration of Odesa's architectural monuments. The funds will be used to restore the Odesa Philharmonic (the former New Exchange building), Potocki Palace, Abaza Palace (where the Museum of Western and Eastern Art is currently located), and the Literary Museum.
• The second loan agreement provides for the allocation of EUR 30 million on favorable terms: for 20 years, of which the first 10 are grace periods without repayment, at 0% per annum. The money will be used to build a new building of the regional children's hospital in Odesa.
• The third project is to upgrade irrigation systems in the region, which is crucial in the context of climate change and droughts, as well as for the country's food security. It is planned to attract €6.1 million in grant funds for the reconstruction of irrigation systems in Odesa region.

Ігор Льов