Among them are Sholem Aleichem and Alexandra Rozenbaum: 4 commemorative stars in honor of outstanding Odessans and famous figures were unveiled in Odessa for City Day

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In Odessa, on City Day, September 2, 2024, four commemorative stars were unveiled on the Alley of Stars in honor of outstanding Odessans and famous figures. This is how the names of Mikhail Komarov, Sholem Aleichem, Vitaly Alikberov and Alexander Rozenbaum appeared. Now the Alley will be decorated with only 48 names.

“Today we are with you on the Avenue of Stars. This is great respect and gratitude to those who made Odessa Odessa. Because the city, the buildings themselves are just buildings. And when they are filled with spirit, when they are filled with content, when thanks to these people our city is known throughout the world – this is a big thank you to everyone who made our city, our color, known throughout the world,” the mayor said.

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Thus, the alley immortalized the memory of four outstanding figures associated with Odessa:

Vitaly Alikberov – Honored Artist of Ukraine (he would have turned 80 today);
Mikhail Komarov – a famous Ukrainian bibliographer, folklorist, ethnographer, translator, publisher, cultural and public figure;
Helmet Aleichem – Jewish writer, playwright and educator, one of the founders of Yiddish literature, he lived in Odessa for two years;
Alexander Rosenbaum – Jewish regional historian, journalist, writer, collector, bibliophile, member of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine. A wide range of readers know Alexander Rozenbaum as Rostislav Aleksandrov. He is buried at the Third Jewish Cemetery in Odessa.

Trukhanov also noted that he was grateful to everyone who managed to preserve the city's multiculturalism. And the 230th anniversary was this proof.

It should be noted that over the past 10 years, 48 stars have already been opened on the Avenue of Stars in Odessa for outstanding figures of this city.

The unveiling of new commemorative stars on the Avenue of Stars in Odessa in honor of outstanding figures such as Mikhail Komarov, Sholem Aleichem, Vitaly Alikberov and Alexander Rozenbaum is an important event for both the Jewish and Ukrainian peoples, especially in the context of the present and the future.

For the Jewish people, this event symbolizes recognition and respect for the contribution of Jewish figures to the cultural and historical heritage of Odessa. Sholem Aleichem and Alexander Rozenbaum, whose names are now immortalized on the Avenue of Stars, are iconic figures representing Jewish culture and literature. Their creativity and public activities contributed to the preservation and development of Jewish heritage, as well as strengthening the ties between the Jewish community and other peoples. Importantly, such moments help preserve the memory of the Jewish presence and influence in Ukraine, especially in Odessa, which has always been a center of multiculturalism.

For the Ukrainian people, the recognition of figures such as Mykhailo Komarov underlines the importance of Ukrainian culture and the intelligentsia in the formation of Odessa as a unique cultural center. Komarov, known for his works in the fields of bibliography and ethnography, made a huge contribution to the development of Ukrainian culture, and his perpetuation on the Avenue of Stars is an important step in preserving and popularizing Ukrainian heritage.

In the context of modern times, when Ukraine is going through difficult times, such symbolic acts as the unveiling of commemorative stars help to strengthen national identity and awareness of the country's cultural diversity. This helps society better understand and appreciate the contribution of different ethnic and cultural groups to the common history of Ukraine, contributing to the creation of a harmonious and tolerant society.

Such initiatives are of great importance for the future, as they help preserve historical memory and pass it on to future generations. This not only strengthens the connection between the different peoples living in Ukraine, but also shows the world that Odessa and Ukraine as a whole remain an example of a multicultural and tolerant society, where the achievements of all ethnic groups contributing to the common cultural heritage are valued and recognized.

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