Publications
Integration of artificial intelligence into the restoration of architectural monuments: Methods and prospects
Artificial intelligence (AI) significantly enhances the restoration of architectural heritage, improving expertise, documentation, condition analysis, and decision-making. While AI offers substantial benefits, challenges such as incomplete automation, integration complexity, and the need for human oversight persist. The study highlights that AI applications must adhere to principles like authenticity, accountability, and reliable data use, with Ukrainian legislation currently lacking specific regulations on AI in restoration. Case studies from sites like the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes and Odesa's Historic Centre demonstrate successful AI integration, while Ukrainian practices show readiness for future implementation. The research underscores the potential of comprehensive AI systems for analysis, modeling, and preservation planning, provided they uphold scientific verification and human oversight.
Decolonisation Policy in Ukraine and Reflections of the Territorial Community (the Case of Odessa)
Post-2022 decolonization policies in Ukraine, analyzed through the case of Odesa, reveal a shift from hybrid historical memory to a dominant Ukrainian-centric narrative. The study demonstrates how the dismantling of imperial and Soviet symbols is being integrated into a mnemonic security strategy, reflecting the state's response to Russia's aggression. Using postcolonial theory, securitization theory, and discursive analysis, researchers highlight the tension between nationwide securitized logic and local cultural resistance in Odesa. The city serves as a 'mnemonic frond,' where hybrid identities clash with unifying state narratives, illustrating the complex interplay between anti-colonialism and regional identity.
Public Administration Mechanisms for Odesa’s Tourism Potential as a UNESCO Historical and Cultural Heritage Site
Odesa's tourism potential as a UNESCO World Heritage Site can be harnessed through targeted public administration mechanisms, despite challenges posed by war and cultural heritage destruction. A SWOT analysis identified key strengths—such as Odesa’s rich historical and architectural heritage—and weaknesses, including infrastructure damage and regulatory gaps. The study proposes integrated institutional, financial, technological, and environmental strategies to balance preservation with sustainable tourism development. Recommendations align with UNESCO standards, offering a roadmap for post-war recovery that prioritizes cultural integrity while fostering economic resilience.
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.
Peculiarities of the “Provincial Secession” Style Development in Ukraine At the Beginning of the 20th Century and Modern Problems of Its Monuments Preservation In War Time
The study identifies the unique characteristics of 'Provincial Secession' style buildings in Ukraine's regional centers, distinct from both European Secession and major urban centers like Lviv, Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa. These provincial structures, influenced by local cultural strata and imperial affiliations (Austro-Hungarian or Russian), face significant preservation challenges due to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, which has led to widespread destruction of valuable background buildings. Despite this, planned repairs and restorations for even undamaged monuments remain neglected, highlighting urgent conservation needs.
Special status of cultural heritage objects during armed conflicts: a comparative analysis of Dubrovnik and Odesa experience
UNESCO World Heritage status significantly enhances the protection and restoration of cultural heritage during armed conflicts, as demonstrated by comparative analyses of Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Odesa (Ukraine). Both cities, though inscribed on the UNESCO list decades apart—Dubrovnik in 1979 and Odesa in 2023—their experiences highlight how international recognition mobilizes resources, fosters cooperation, and mitigates risks to architectural and historical values. While Dubrovnik's post-war recovery symbolized resilience after Croatia’s War of Independence, Odesa faces ongoing challenges during the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, including threats to museums, libraries, and civil society-led preservation efforts. The study underscores that UNESCO designation serves as a critical tool for safeguarding heritage, emphasizing the role of local engagement and global support in mitigating destruction and looting.
The Cabaret in Ukraine as a Phenomenon of the Age of Modernism
Ukrainian cabaret emerged as a distinct cultural phenomenon during the modernist era, blending European avant-garde traditions with local folklore and political satire. This study reveals that Ukrainian cabarets, particularly in cities like Odesa, Kyiv, and Lviv, served dual roles: entertainment hubs and platforms for social critique, often navigating censorship challenges. The research contextualizes cabaret within Europe's broader modernist movement, highlighting its roots in French and German venues such as Le Chat Noir and Überbrettl, while emphasizing Ukraine's unique contributions through figures like Mykola Sadovskyi and Les Kurbas. It also explores the socio-political factors leading to its decline under Soviet rule but notes its enduring legacy in contemporary Ukrainian arts.
Historian Oleksii Markevych Investigative Case and Repressive Measures Against the Development of the Ukrainian National Movement in Odesa at the Turn of the 19th-20th Centuries
A detailed examination of the life and persecution of historian Oleksii Markevych reveals how repressive measures, such as his prosecution for smuggling prohibited literature, significantly hindered the development of the Ukrainian national movement in Odesa at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. The study leverages archival documents from the Central State Historical Archives of Ukraine to illustrate the socio-political climate of the time, contrasting it with the more liberal environment of the Habsburg Empire. Through synchronous and comparative methodologies, the research demonstrates the negative impact on Odesa's socio-political processes following the suppression of the Ukrainian movement in the 1870s. Additionally, the analysis provides valuable insights into Markevych's personal connections with key figures in the Ukrainian movement across different regions, enriching our understanding of his role and the broader movement's dynamics.
Odesa in Diachronic and Synchronic Studies of Urban Linguistic Landscapes of Ukraine Conducted between 2015 and 2019
A study of Odesa's linguistic landscape between 2015 and 2019 reveals that the city's polyethnic identity and de facto language policy, prioritizing Russian as a lingua franca, persist despite official Ukrainization efforts. While compliance with state language policies was observed in central streets, Russian dominance increased away from the city center, reflecting globalized trends and resistance to state language mandates. The research, combining diachronic and synchronic analyses of public signage with semi-structured interviews, also highlights a rise in English use as an alternative to the state language. This mixed-methods approach provides insights into power dynamics, values, and language politics in Ukraine's urban spaces.
Prospects for green infrastructure development to improve the living comfort for the population of Odesa
A study identifies the potential for green infrastructure to significantly enhance living comfort in Odesa, Ukraine. Researchers found that increasing green spaces, particularly through the creation of a city-wide green belt and incorporating green roofs and walls, could mitigate urban heat stress and improve air quality. The analysis revealed that Odesa currently falls short of recommended green space per resident norms, with notable disparities across districts. The study also highlights the importance of prioritizing drought-resistant native plant species in new green areas due to rapid climate change. Recommendations include expanding existing ecological corridor projects to cover all city districts and integrating green infrastructure elements more efficiently.
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