Italian Culture and Art Representations in Odesa under the Policy of Romanization Conditions (1941–1944)

During the Romanian occupation of Odesa (1941–1944), Italian culture and art played a significant role in revitalizing European traditions, particularly in music and theatre, under the fascist ideological framework. This brief but unique period saw the implementation of a Romanization policy aimed at integrating the city's population into a 'Roman world' system, promoting Italian language, cinema, visual arts, and music. The study identifies key figures such as tenor Tito Schipa, singer Katerina Boratto, and conductor Francesco Pradelli, whose performances and pedagogical efforts shaped Odesa's cultural landscape. Through interdisciplinary methods—including source studies, biographical analysis, and historical comparison—the research reveals how the Italian Royal Bureau and later the Italian Institute of Culture in Odesa drove this policy, targeting local intelligentsia, including ethnic Italians who survived Stalinist repression. The findings highlight the policy's role as a component of Romanianization, emphasizing its cultural propaganda aspects.

Batsak, K. (2024). Italian Culture and Art Representations in Odesa under the Policy of Romanization Conditions (1941–1944). Scientific Herald of Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine, (139), 92–111. https://doi.org/10.31318/2522-4190.2024.139.301123