Millions died in Ukraine in 1930s from man-made famine
A special memorial service was held at the Saskatchewan legislature on Tuesday to remember the victims of the Holodomor in Ukraine.
In the 1930s, millions of people died in a man-made famine, orchestrated by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.
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.
Source: cbc.ca