In the heart of Odesa, a bronze statue captures the writer Isaac Babel in a moment of inspiration, his gaze fixed ahead and a pen poised above a stack of paper. Babel, a native of this Black Sea city, is celebrated for his literary contributions.
However, this statue faces imminent removal under a Ukrainian decolonization law aimed at eradicating symbols tied to Russian imperialism. The legislation targets monuments like Babel's, given his service in the Soviet Red Army and his early 20th-century literary work produced partly in Russia.
The proposal to dismantle the statue has ignited significant opposition among Odesa residents. Many contend that Babel’s writings, especially his famed “Odessa Stories,” highlight the city’s rich Jewish heritage and the diverse, vibrant community of smugglers, artists, and ethnic groups that define its unique character.
While firmly rejecting Russia’s military aggression, locals worry that the decolonization efforts risk erasing the essence of Odesa’s identity. Antonina Poletti, a 41-year-old editor and sixth-generation Odesan, insists, “Removing Babel would mean removing the soul of the city.”
Amid the ongoing hardships of frequent drone and missile attacks from Russia, Odesa now finds itself engaged in a cultural conflict. The statue of Babel has become a symbol in this wider struggle to redefine the city’s heritage and assert a Ukrainian identity independent of its imperial past.
