From May 24 to 31, Vancouver is hosting Odesa Week - a cultural week dedicated to the city of Odesa, which has been connected to Vancouver through a friendship and sister-city relationship since 1944. This is one of the oldest such partnerships in North America and Canada - and today, it takes on renewed meaning as a gesture of solidarity with Ukraine and Odesa.

In the photo: Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim with a symbol of Odesa, presented to him on behalf of the Mayor of Odesa by Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada Yuliya Kovaliv during her visit to Vancouver in September 2024. This gift is not merely a work of art - it is a token of gratitude for the city’s support and genuine partnership.

Odesa Week in Vancouver is a week of music, film, visual art, discussions, and gastronomy that offers a closer look at the history, beauty, and resilience of Ukraine’s Black Sea gem.

We sincerely thank the City of Vancouver, the Ukrainian community, and all organizers and partners for supporting this initiative. Together, we preserve the bonds that inspire and help shape a better world.