The Uman City Council voted unanimously to change the name of Balinsky Street, located near the shrine of Rabbi Nachman, to Rabbi Nachman of Breslov Street.
The name change was required by a new law legislated in Ukraine in May to change the names of streets named after communist authors and supporters, following a 2015 law prohibiting the display of communist symbols in public venues such as streets, alleys, squares and parks.
After the mayor polled residents for new street names, the municipality unanimously agreed to change the name of the street near the shrine to Rabbi Nachman Street.
Considering that Rabbi Nachman is the most famous “resident” of Uman and the annual pilgrimages to his shrine is a major contribution to Uman’s economy, it is surprising this step wasn’t taken long before.