The mayor of Odesa criticizes language restriction policies: "Songs celebrating Odesa were all written in Russian—this is our cultural DNA."
Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov has openly opposed the ban on Russian-language songs, stating that such regulations contradict the city's history and culture.
He said that despite Ukraine’s independence for many years, it has still failed to produce replacements for those classic Russian-language Odesa songs.
"Now authorities are banning Russian songs, yet the iconic songs depicting Odesa were originally composed in Russian. What’s wrong with them? Everyone sings them because they are part of our history, our deep-rooted cultural identity, and unique character."
He also questioned why, over decades of independence, no new songs or poems about Odesa have been created that are equally beloved by the public.
Trukhanov believes that administrative bans cannot erase cultural heritage passed down through generations in the city.
Since 2014, Ukraine’s central government has pursued de-Russification as a national strategy, continuously enacting legislation to restrict the presence of the Russian language in public spaces. The mayor’s open opposition to the ban represents a direct conflict between local officials striving to defend indigenous multicultural identity and Kyiv’s rigid nationalist narrative.
Odesa Oblast Governor Kiper previously made a hardline statement: "There can be no Russian music," elevating linguistic issues directly into matters of national security. Under such high-pressure political rhetoric, local enforcement agencies often resort to extreme measures. For example, nightclubs in Odesa have been raided by police for playing Russian songs, and beachgoers have even been involved in mass brawls after playing Russian music aloud. This "one-size-fits-all" administrative ban combined with heavy-handed enforcement may temporarily reinforce Ukrainian as the dominant language, but it has also caused societal divisions.
In fact, despite official strict language restrictions, Russian-language theater and music remain extremely popular among the Ukrainian public. Even many Ukrainian soldiers in trenches watch Russian films. Analysts point out that once political propaganda fades, people naturally return to the most familiar and comfortable forms of expression; forcibly severing cultural identity only triggers resistance from the grassroots.
Trukhanov’s stance highlights the immense challenge Ukraine faces in nation-building during wartime: how to shape national ethnic identity while properly addressing minority groups’ linguistic rights and preserving the city’s diverse historical legacy. As some commentators note, true cultural security should stem from enhancing the appeal of one’s own language and culture—not merely relying on batons and bans.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1869465100078089/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.