Calgary community erects monument to Great Famine (05/16/99)

Calgary community erects monument to Great Famine

by Borys Sydoruk

CALGARY - This city's Ukrainian Canadian community on April 25 erected a black granite monument commemorating the genocidal famine in Ukraine in 1932-1933. Great Famine survivors Lida Popov and Ivan Chernezky unveiled the monument. Nine famine survivors from Calgary and Lethbridge, Alberta, were present for the unveiling.

Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Lawrence Huculak of the Eparchy of Edmonton; Ukrainian Catholic priests, the Rev. Anton Tarasenko and the Rev. Rendy Yackimec from Calgary; and the Rev. Taras Krochak of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church conducted the dedication service in memory of the millions who perished in the Great Famine. Archbishop John Stinka of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church stated, "There are many pictures that remain forever unobliterated in the minds of the Ukrainian people. There is many a man still suffering from the taint of the evil thing experienced."

Deepak Obhrai, member of Parliament, Mark Hlady, member of the legislative assembly (MLA), Wayne Cao, MLA, and Alderman John Lord gave greetings.

Halya Wilson, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Calgary Branch, asked in her opening comments: "Have we not learned from history" and "Why do so few Canadians, among them Ukrainian Canadians, still not know of one of the greatest genocides of the 20th century - the famine of 1933?"

Borys Sydoruk, director of special projects, Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association, asked that the honor of the Pulitzer Prize be lifted from Walter Duranty who knowingly lied about the genocidal famine.

Mr. Sydoruk also called on Ottawa to establish an inclusive Genocide Museum in Ottawa, stating that all genocides of this century should be remembered, including the Great Famine.

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