During a visit to the Odessa region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky visited the Odessa Regional Philharmonic. The Head of State talked with distinguished cultural personalities of Odessa and promise the Governement financial support for its renovation.

The architect Volodymyr Sukhanov told the President about the problems of the Philharmonic building. According to him, the building, which was erected in the late XIX century, needs immediate major repair.

The Director of the Odessa National Philharmonic Orchestra, Hobart Earle, noted that the acoustics of the concert hall should be improved as part of the repair work.

According to the Head of Odessa Regional Administration Maksym Kutsyi, the repair of the ventilation equipment was financed by donors. Kutsyi added that the budget of the Odessa region for the next year envisaged funds to develop a project for the reconstruction of the Philharmonic building. The repair can be completed in two years.

The Head of State stressed that the renovation of the Odessa Philharmonic building should be large-scale. He stressed that its reconstruction should be included in the list of objects of the National Program "Great Construction", that will start next year. The Government will select top-priority cultural heritage sites throughout the Country.

This is the only concert venue of such level in the south of the Country.

The State must carry out global renovation. There must be serious investments.

We must avoid five-ten years of restoration works.

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine

During the meeting with the representatives of Odessa culture, Volodymyr Zelensky called the Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko. After a phone conversation, the Head of State said that he would offer the Minister to include the renovation of the Philharmonic building in the "Great Construction" in culture programme.