By Diana Kotsyuba
The genocide initiated by Joseph Stalin through the Holodomor is continued today through Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
That was the message delivered by speakers at Edmonton’s Holodomor Commemoration, held at City Hall, November 23.
Referring to a 1953 speech by Raphael Lemkin, the Polish-Jewish lawyer who invented the term “genocide,” and described the Holodomor as “perhaps the classic example of Soviet genocide, its longest and broadest experiment in Russification — the destruction of the Ukrainian nation,” keynote speaker Dr. Henry H. Prown stated:
“This attempted destruction is self-evidently an on-going process, which both pre-dated the Soviet experiment and now post-dates it. Thus, the Holodomor, as Lemkin himself clarified, was merely an especially horrifying part of a genocidal whole, with quote ‘the weapon used against [the farmers being] perhaps the most terrible of all – starvation’.” “Here we all are — 91 long years of dismissal and denialism and the continued attempted destruction of Ukraine,” he added.
Concelebrating clergy
Dr. Prown, the 2022-23 Temerty Postdoctoral Fellow in Holodomor Studies at the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta, highlighted the role of Western media and the Communist International in Moscow, played in denying the Holodomor and how such disavowal continues today.
“The world was at best uncaring and at worst hostile. The Jewish Daily Forward’s labour editor Harry Lang had to be escorted to his office by armed bodyguards following his own reporting on the famine. And to this day, at least in a scholarly setting, anyone trying to write about the Holodomor is going to face relentless pushback. I can speak from recent and repeated personal experience in this regard, and I know that I am not alone,” he said.
Yet, even during these difficult times, “Ukrainian people across the world, from the mud-filled trenches of the Donbas to the hallowed halls of Canada’s corridors of power, set aside the 23rd of November to remember a tragedy and a crime that many would rather be forgotten.”
Members of the Organizing Committee with Ukraine's Consul General to Edmonton Oleksandr Danyleiko, left to right: Svitlana Varshavska, Liliya Sukhy, Orysia Boychuk, Danyleiko, Taras Podilsky, Iryna Kravets-Kuzmicz, Dmytro Petrushchak
Dr. Prown also reflected on his personal perspective as an “admittedly ignorant American” whose connection to Ukraine is indirect, through his Jewish ancestors from Belarus. He currently conducts research, writes monographs, and teaches a course at the University of Alberta titled “Famine as Genocide in the 20th Century: The Case of the Holodomor.”
Organized by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) Edmonton Branch, the commemoration is held annually on the fourth Saturday of November. While the primary focus is to honour the memory of the millions of Ukrainians who perished during the Holodomor, since Russia’s invasion the program also casts a spotlight on the current atrocities being endured by Ukraine.
The ceremony began with a panakhyda (prayer service) led by His Most Revered Bishop David Motiuk, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparch of Edmonton and His Eminence Metropolitan Ilarion of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, accompanied by the “New Life” choir under the direction of Oleksandra Hryniuk. The choir’s moving rendition of “Ukraine, I Pray for You” set a somber yet hopeful tone for the day.
Members of the Youth Choir
Master of Ceremonies, Solomia Myc, introduced Orysia Boychuk, President of the UCC – Alberta Provincial Council, who emphasized the vital contributions of Edmonton’s Ukrainian community, stating: “Here in Edmonton, the Ukrainian community has played a pivotal role in uncovering and preserving the truth about the Holodomor.” Edmonton is home to the world’s first Holodomor monument, unveiled in 1983. In October 2008 due to the efforts and leadership of the late Gene Zwozdesky, the Alberta Legislature passed Bill 37, establishing the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act. Consul General of Ukraine in Edmonton, Oleksandr Danyleiko, also extended gratitude to the Canadian provincial and federal governments, as well as the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, for this recognition and continuous support. This legislation continues to stand as a testament to Alberta’s commitment to preserving the memory of the Holodomor for future generations.
This commitment was further evidenced by the presence of officials from all three levels of government at the event, who delivered powerful messages to Edmonton’s Ukrainian community. Representing the Government of Canada Edmonton Centre Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault, who did not attend the event in person, sent a message in which he, reaffirmed “Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine”.
At the commemoration, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan Conservative MP Garnett Genuis and Edmonton Strathcona NDP MP and Foreign Affairs Critic Heather McPherson, called for continued advocacy to ensure that history does not repeat itself. Representing the Government of Alberta, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA and Parliamentary Secretary for Ukrainian Refugee Settlement Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk spoke of the resilience of the Ukrainian people while Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, acknowledged the profound contributions of the Ukrainian community to the city.
One particularly poignant moment of remembrance at this year’s commemoration was the tribute paid to Alberta’s last known Holodomor survivor, Leonid Korownyk, who passed away earlier this year. His wife, Anne, honoured his memory by sharing his poetry, which serves as a profound testament to the resilience of those who endured unimaginable suffering. Korownyk’s legacy reminds us of the strength and courage of Holodomor survivors, even as their numbers diminish, and underscores the importance of ensuring their stories live on through future generations.
Members of “New Life” Choir
This responsibility of remembrance is now being carried forward by the younger generation in Edmonton, who reflect great hope, as they made it clear at the event that they are determined to honour the past. Two youth groups stood out for their active involvement in preserving this history. The heartfelt rendition of the Ukrainian song “Holodomor Candle” by the combined choir from Ridna Shkola and the Ivan Franko School of Ukrainian Studies, moved the audience to tears, reminding everyone of the enduring strength of Ukrainian culture and the critical role of younger generations in carrying forward the legacy of the past. The informational exhibition titled “The War Is Not Over,” produced by Edmonton’s Ukrainian National Youth Federation and featured at the event, also underscored the invaluable contributions of young people to the preservation of Ukrainian history and culture. The exhibition highlighted the devastating impact of both the Holodomor genocide and the ongoing genocidal war in Ukraine. The involvement of both youth groups reflects the hope and responsibility they carry as the next generation of leaders and advocates. Through their efforts, they ensure that the lessons of the past remain relevant, making certain that the stories of survivors like Leonid Korownyk continue to inspire and inform, and that the world remains informed about the challenges Ukraine continues to face today.
The event was organized by a dedicated committee of volunteers from the UCC Edmonton Branch, consisting of Andrii Lytvynets, Dmytro Petrushchak, Orysia Boychuk, Liliya Sukhy, Julia Adamik, Iryna Kravets-Kuzmicz, Svitlana Varshavska, Kostiantyn Lutchenko and Taras Podilsky, whose contributions to the community are equally important. Committee Chair Andrii Lytvynets, said, “Commemorating the memory of the victims of the Holodomor of 1932–33 in Ukraine is, without exaggeration, one of the most important and responsible events organized by the UCC Edmonton. Despite certain difficulties in organizing this event, we must not forget about that terrible tragedy in Ukraine's history. We, as Ukrainians, must constantly remind the world about those terrible tragedies that our indomitable Ukrainian people endured and continue to endure.” Dmytro Petrushchak, President of UCC Edmonton, delivered the closing remarks, thanking his team, who coordinated every detail to ensure the event’s success.
The day concluded with the laying of wreaths at the Holodomor monument on the City Hall grounds and the singing of the Canadian and Ukrainian national anthems.
As history repeats itself in Ukraine, this event served as a poignant reminder of the need for vigilance and action. Alberta’s Ukrainian community continues to lead efforts in education, advocacy, and remembrance, ensuring that the lessons of the Holodomor guide us in confronting today’s challenges. With history as a guide and unity as a strength, the community continues to shine a light on the resilience of the Ukrainian people – then and now.
With Editing by Marco Levytsky
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