222 - Odessa - the vibrant symbol of urban irreverence and why it irritates Putin so much.

As the war in Ukraine continues, we focus on an extraordinary city which could well be the next Russian target, Odessa. A product of commerce and an effervescent example of urban economics, Odessa is cosmopolitan, tolerant, self-reinventing, brimming of various ethnicities, home to Russian intellectual greats Pushkin, Babel, Eisenstein and Jabotinsky. Today this great city is on the frontline. We explore its economy and history, and why destroying this city is akin to destroying an idea, which is why it will be impossible. We also highlight one of the darkest and least well known atrocities of the Holocaust. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.