National Holodomor Awareness Week
November 23-29, 2009
On the 76th anniversary of the famine genocide in Ukraine 1932-33
October 23, 2009 - Winnipeg, Canada- The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is launching the second National Holodomor Awareness Week November 23-29. The goal is to annually unite the Ukrainian community and all Canadians in remembering the victims and raising awareness of this tragedy.
As designated by the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, International Holodomor Memorial Day in 2009 is Saturday, November 28.
Holodomor - one of the most heinous crimes in the history of mankind, was the result of a deliberate political strategy masterminded by Stalin and his totalitarian communist regime. By sheer magnitude, losses during the Holodomor surpassed those of the Ukrainian nation during the Second World War. Ukrainians worldwide continue to suffer the consequences of this merciless act.
Ukrainians worldwide continue their awareness campaign. In Canada, we are nearing completion of the documentation of survivors' testimonies ensuring that their stories are preserved for future generations. Excerpts of the testimonies can be heard by visiting the newly created web site www.holodomorsurvivors.ca. We continue working with our provincial ministries of education and local school boards to ensure that our students in Canada learn about the Holodomor. We are working with Canadian provinces that have yet to recognize the Holodomor while internationally, the United Nations must recognize this crime as an act of genocide.
Let us remember together -
On Saturday, November 28, in solidarity with Ukraine, honour the memory of the victims with a moment of silence at 9:00 a.m. and light a candle of remembrance in your home.
On Sunday, November 29 participate in memorial services which will take place in your local churches
Participate in events organized by your local community
This is the bare minimum which we, as Ukrainians should do not only for the millions of victims, but more importantly, for our descendants who must always remember the Holodomor and heighten the international community's sensitivity to the reoccurrence of similar tragedies.
Let's reveal the truth about the Holodomor to the world!
November 28, Holodomor Memorial Day, 9:00 a.m. A moment of silence and candle lighting in homes
November 29 A requiem service in all Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches across Canada with solemn tolling of bells 10 times in memory of 10 million
