“There is something special in the soil. There is something about these straight streets that run towards the sea, this blue sky, the greenery of acacias and plane trees, these warm evenings, and these two brightly-lit multistory buildings, one of which is slowly separating from the other and vanishing. There is something about these people, who speak so expressively, borrowing its very essence from various languages.”
Today Odesa turns 214 years old. In the past few years City Day has become a tradition in Odesa and a big celebration for its residents. This time there are art and photo exhibits, a rock festival, a concert dedicated to the 100th birth anniversary of David Oistrakh, a festival of Polish cinema, street theater productions, a carnival procession, the Live Horrors feast, a traditional concert on the Potemkin Steps, and festive fireworks.
Today Odesa is a burgeoning city with a host of problems. Modern-day challenges force the municipal authorities and residents to make constant efforts to justify the title of unique for their city.
What is the heart of Odesa’s mystery, and what does it mean to be an Odesite? We tried to find out the answers to these questions from residents of this beautiful city.
Borys BURDA, TV host, journalist, writer:
“In general, it is slightly more difficult to be an Odesite than the resident of another city that is not so flamboyant. An Odesite is always expected to show something unusual, for example, talent or wit. You have to demonstrate it, so this mobilizes you. In comparison with the situation in our megalopolises of the romantic 90s, Odesa today looks like a kindergarten. But if you suddenly begin to recall the bygone glory of Odesa as a criminal hub, then things look worse. Hemingway himself advised, in the event that communism triumphed all over the world, not to accept Odesa Bank checks from junior officers.
“It is sad that everybody has a stereotyped view of people from Odesa. Those who stick to this stereotype just ignore the things you do that don’t correspond to this image. All you have to do is joke about this, and since a stereotypical Odesite is always joking, this stereotype only becomes more engrained, and you can’t possibly stop. Maybe, an unconventional person will be surprised, like the poetess from the Volga region was when she met me: ‘Borys, are you really an Odesite? Then why don’t you say ‘sha?’ Why don’t you say ‘Ili?’ You look like a Muscovite – you don’t even curse.’”
Borys BARSKY, Mask Show comic group:
“Who is a true Odesite? A real person from Odesa is the wittiest and most attractive person in the world. He never owes anything to anyone. He never hurries anywhere. He walks about, like a cat, on his own. He always finds himself at the center of world events. He is disinterested, not loutish, he is ready to gift you everything that has no material value, such as a joke, a wish, and a piece of advice.”
Leonid RUKMAN, director of the World Club of Odesites:
“To be an Odesite means to cherish a great love for our city. The residents of no other ex-Soviet city unite the way Odesites do.
For example, our Web site has registered Odesa clubs and communities all over the world: New York, Los Angeles, Berlin, Moscow, Sochi, Murmansk, Prague, etc. This proves that there are no ex-Odesites: even when they leave the city, they remain Odesites, who love their beautiful city. An Odesite is the sea, the south, the opera house, and our city’s history, which we are trying to learn as much as we can. Our clubs includes a lot of historians, writers, and regional historians, who never stop studying and writing about Odesa.”
Alla SUBBOTINA, businesswoman:
“First of all, an Odesite is a person who does not divide people along ethnic lines. It is hospitality, tact, subtle humor, massive support if you are in a trouble. It is joy when your neighbor has some pleasant news.
“For me, Odesa is associated with “A lonely sail looms afar.” It is also Madame Starozhenko and her gobies, which are becoming increasingly rarer. The true Odesa atmosphere is also disappearing.”
Yakiv MANIOVYCH, honorary citizen of Odesa:
“I am very pleased to be invited by our mayor to visit Odesa to celebrate the city’s 214th birthday. I lost my peace of mind and sank into recollections of the past years associated with our city, my childhood, my school years, and the war that cut short our happy childhoods. For me, Odesites are the best people on earth. It is a city of the finest girls and women, a city of hardworking people. I always remember the best years of my life – the years of study, my beloved profession, and my workmates and colleagues.
“But the most precious thing is the Odesites among whom you feel at home. They are close to you. Like you, they are obsessed with their city. In these festive days, when we are celebrating Odesa’s birthday, I don’t like to remember or analyze the reasons that forced us to change our place of residence. But we remain Odesites at heart: this is common to all those who live in Odesa or still remember it. Memories of the past, which Odesa and Odesites still keep alive, glorify our city and its residents, and strengthen our love for Odesa, our homeland. Happy birthday, beloved city!”
Yulia DOVHAN, member of the Ostroh Club:
“To be an Odesite is, above all, to respect and preserve the identity of our native city and to understand its character. The Odesa character is a flammable mixture of vivaciousness, the spirit of never-ending commerce, optimism, craftiness, simplicity, and talent. If you are from Odesa, this makes you life easier and raises your self-confidence. An Odesite is an inexhaustible source of optimism and jokes for any occasion and in any situation. Odesa is the beach, the sea, and the sun. Odesa is a city with a crazy pulse, which is a shock to those who come from neighboring villages and big cities. Odesa is the city where I was born and raised, and spent the most important period of my life.
“Knowing the city’s history, I must say that Odesa has tackled problems since its inception. The city still has pressing problems, like illegal sales and seizures of land, corruption, smuggling, and judicial procedure governed by the principle ‘whoever gave me more is right.’ Odesa’s problems are the same as they were 100 years ago, but people are definitely changing. What is not changing is the Odesa character, which helps residents overcome every difficulty in life.”
Yevhen LIVSHYTS, head of the Marinescu Association of Submariners:
“Odesa is, above all, a Black Sea city, and there is no better city in the world. This is a city that made it possible to develop Black Sea shipping. As a resident of this city, I wish it prosperity. What the municipal administration is doing for the city, despite some shortcomings, is very good: the city has gotten better. It is more beautiful, cleaner, and gentrified. It is more and more attractive thanks to its European spirit. An Odesite is a special person; an Odesite means 130 different ethnic groups. That’s why you will immediately spot an Odesite anywhere. For example, we, veteran submariners, attend congresses every year. We form a separate delegation at these congresses, and when people meet us they always say: look, the Odesites are coming. This is why the word ‘Odesite’ has a proud and special ring to it.”
