Italy leads cultural heritage reconstruction in Ukraine starting from Odesa

Italy has launched a major initiative to rebuild Ukraine's cultural heritage, spearheaded by Triennale Milano and MAXXI Rome, with support from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture. The project, called the Laboratory for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, began with a meeting in Milan on October 31, 2023, bringing together Italian and Ukrainian officials, UNESCO representatives, architects, and designers. The immediate focus is the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, damaged by a Russian missile strike in July 2023. A UNESCO team has already conducted 3D scans of the cathedral to aid reconstruction planning. The initiative also addresses damage to the Odesa Museum of Fine Arts, hit on November 6, 2023. Italian ministers Antonio Tajani and Gennaro Sangiuliano support the effort, while Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba welcomed Italy's leadership. The estimated damage to Ukraine's cultural heritage is €2.6 billion, with reconstruction costs projected at €6.9 billion. The online platform Dream already hosts over 10,000 reconstruction projects. Italy aims to develop a model for restoration that can be extended across Ukraine, building on its experience in Afghanistan and Iraq.