Nov. 2015: Holodomor (Ukr. genocide) commemoration

[Natalka]

Washington DC - Dedication and blessing of Holodomor momument.

It's at Columbus Circle, in front of Union Station. The main exhibit is in Union Station, but for today's event and crowds expected, it was done outside.

Thousands of Ukrainians turned out to remember the millions of Ukrainians who lost their lives during the forced famine in 1932-33

The Memorial was built with joint efforts of the Ukrainian state and the Ukrainian diaspora in the U.S. in tribute to the millions of Ukrainians, who were forcibly starved to death in 1932-1933 by the Soviet regime under the leadership of Josef Stalin.

In cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine, a three-day series of events will include an exhibit opening and benefit reception; the dedication ceremony of the Holodomor Memorial; hierarchical divine liturgies; and a commemorative concert featuring prominent highly acclaimed Ukrainian performers.



Ukrainian-American architect Larysa Kurylas designed the Holodomor “Field of Wheat” monument, a stark bronze sculpture of wheat stalks receding into the distance, symbolizing the rich agricultural lands and traditions of Ukraine so cruelly turned against the population to starve them into submission.

- (our niece was there, along with our great-niece, but their pics from FB are private, so I can't post them here.)

[Natalka]

First Lady of Ukraine was in attendance, bringing what looks like a video message from President Poroshenko






From Ukraine - head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) - amongst others, participated in the blessing

[Lynn49]

Oh, I wish I knew about this when we were in Washington earlier this year for the Cherry Blossom Festival...surely the bronze would have been available for viewing then? Gosh...Just like two years ago, at Christmas, we wanted to see the 911 memorial, but it was closed for some reason I can't remember...well, that just means another visit to both..fingers crossed!

Bless the men, women and children of the Holodomor....

[Natalka]

Lynn, it was installed in August.

[Lynn49]

Ah. We were there in April; I'm glad it wasn't there at that time and we missed it...thanks, Natalka!

[Natalka]

May the memory of the victims of the Holodomor be eternal - Вічная Їм Память.”

[Natalka]

Candles lit at Sask. legislature to remember victims of Holodomor

A special memorial service was held at the Saskatchewan legislature on Tuesday to remember the victims of the Holodomor in Ukraine.





Ken Krawetz, Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations Legislative Secretary, spoke at the memorial and lit a candle with three others to honour the victims.

Krawetz also encouraged people to visit the Bitter Memories of Childhood statue seen on the grounds of the Wascana Centre, located east of the legislature on Lakeshore Drive. The statue also serves as a testament to the Ukrainian people," Krawetz said.

"They survived despite this atrocity. Their ancestors also demonstrated this strength by helping build this great province upon their arrival more than 100 years ago."

Nov. 23 to 29 is National Holodomor Awareness Week, with International Holodomor Memorial Day falling on Sat. Nov. 28.

In 2008, the legislative assembly of Saskatchewan passed the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act, making it the first jurisdiction in North America to recognize the genocide.




http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskat...omor-1.3334452

[Natalka]

The Holodomor National Awareness Tour launches its Holodomor Mobile Classroom in Ontario at Queen's Park on 24 November 2015.

Bishop Stephen of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Canada and Bishop Andriy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada blessed the initiative. Presiding over the official ribbon cutting were Ontario Minister of Education Liz Sandals and MPP Yvan Baker.

[Natalka]

from my hometown

Holodomor Memorial service on Sunday in North Battleford.

Memory eternal to the victims of the man-made famine.

[Natalka]

Ukrainian World Congress Statement on the 82nd anniversary of the Holodomor

On 28 November 2015, International Holodomor Memorial Day, Ukrainians around the world will mark the 82nd anniversary of the Holodomor, Ukrainian Famine Genocide of 1932-33, with solemn commemorations in remembrance of the millions who perished simply because they were Ukrainian.

This genocidal act was not an isolated event in history, but part of a long timeline of historical events that served to keep a nation oppressed and subjugated. This timeline of events has led the Ukrainian people to the juncture at which they stand today, united against a foreign aggressor that persistently, yet unsuccessfully, attempts to quell the nation’s aspirations for a free and dignified life.

Honouring the memory of the Holodomor's victims, the 20-million strong Ukrainian diaspora, led by the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), vows to continue its persistent efforts to raise international awareness of the Ukrainian Holodomor, including recognition by all governments and the United Nations of the Holodomor as an act of genocide.

The UWC expresses gratitude to the survivors of the Holodomor for speaking the truth and sharing their painful memories to help the world understand this tragedy, and calls upon the descendants of the victims and survivors of the Holodomor to continue holding high this torch of truth.

On Saturday, 28 November 2015, International Holodomor Memorial Day, at 19:32 local time, the UWC calls upon every family around the world to say a prayer for the victims of the Holodomor and light a candle of remembrance in the window of their home.

May that candle burn forever bright as a beacon of the truth that will eternally preserve our memory of the victims of the Holodomor.

Ukraine remembers – the World acknowledges

[Natalka]

November 27, 2015 15:00 ET

Statement by Minister Joly Commemorating the Holodomor


OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 27, 2015) - This week Canadians commemorate one of the greatest tragedies of the last century: the deaths of millions of Ukrainians who perished as victims of a man-made famine under Stalin from 1932 to 1933. This famine is among the worst crimes against humanity ever perpetrated by a dictatorship.

In 2008, Canada became the first nation to recognize the Ukrainian famine of 1932-33 as an act of genocide. Parliament unanimously passed a bill establishing the fourth Saturday in November as Ukrainian Famine and Genocide ("Holodomor") Memorial Day.

Remembering the Holodomor also pays tribute to the Ukrainian-Canadian community, the third-largest Ukrainian population in the world. Canadians of Ukrainian origin have made invaluable contributions to our country's development for more than a century.

As Minister of Canadian Heritage, I stand with the Ukrainian community and with all Canadians in commemorating the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide of 1932-33.

http://www.marketwired.com/press-rel...or-2077417.htm

[Natalka]

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon

Putting ears of wheat up around campus to raise awareness of the Holodomor. Stop by the Lesya Ukrainka Statue to learn more about the famine from our posters.

[Natalka]

U of S

Fr Andre Lalach, a Ukrainian Catholic Priest from Dormition Ukrainian Catholic Parish and a member of the STM Campus Ministry leading the panakhyda (or memorial) for the Holodomor Vigil

[Natalka]

Euromaidan PR ‏@EuromaidanPR 5h5 hours ago

Ukraine's officials, clergy pay tribute to victims at #Holodomor memorial. Ppl come w/ candles, spikelets

[Natalka]

100s of ppl come to #Holodomor memorial in Kyiv to light up a candle in commemoration of millions starved to death