The mayor of Odesa, Hennadiy Trukhanov, met with the mayor of the Mladost district, Hristo Vidolov Hristov, from Varna.
This meeting was facilitated by the Ambassador of Odesa in Bulgaria, Mr. Mark Petrov. Odesa and Varna share long-standing sister city ties, rooted in deep historical connections, as the territory of modern Varna was home to the ancient Greek settlement of Odessos.
“We share much in common, which has shaped our relationships and opens up new opportunities for development. Varna, as a port city, welcomed many Odesa residents during the war; most have integrated into the community while preserving Odesa's vibrant culture,” noted Mr. Hristov.
Hennadiy Trukhanov announced plans for Bulgarian Culture Days in Odesa at the end of October and early November, supported by the General Consulate.
The mayor of Odesa invited his Bulgarian counterpart to participate in the events and suggested discussing potential joint initiatives. The recent natural disasters affecting both Odesa and Bulgarian cities were also mentioned during the meeting.
Mr. Hristov reported that due to the abnormal rainfall on October 3rd in Bulgaria, six fatalities have been confirmed, with the death toll expected to rise. Odesa also faced a severe storm on September 30th that claimed lives. This experience has served as a painful reminder of our cities' vulnerabilities and the critical need for international cooperation in tackling climate challenges.
