Ottawa UCC organizes commemoration of Famine-Genocide

OTTAWA - The Ottawa branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) organized an evening commemorating the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933, in the Center Bloc on Parliament Hill, on November 23, 1999. The evening was hosted by the Canada-Ukraine Friendship Group, which promotes ties between parliamentarians of the two countries.

The evening was very well attended, with over 150 participants, including several senators and members of Parliament.

The program included short speeches by Sen. Raynell Andreychuk and Ambassador Volodymyr Khandogiy of Ukraine. The main speaker was Prof. Roman Serbyn of the University of Quebec in Montreal, who included in his presentation excerpts from the award-winning film "Harvest of Despair." Concluding remarks were by UCC Ottawa President Oksana Bashuk-Hepburn.

A feature of the evening was the blessing of bread and water jointly by Father Ihor Kutash and Father Cyril Mykytiuk, respectively of the Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholic Churches. The table was beautifully decorated in black and white, with touches of red. The commemorative event ended with all those attending filing past the table to partake of the bread and water.

The event, and particularly Dr. Serbyn's presentation, elicited many very positive comments. However, the mainstream media did not cover the event.

The organizing committee was headed by Peter Sorokan, and included Yaroslaw Baran, Irena Bell, Olya Henry, Halyna Michaelchuk, Olga Sametz, Victor Shevchenko, Julia Woychyshyn and Marta Wynnycka.

Master of ceremonies for the evening was a member of the UCC executive committee, Irena Bell.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, February 27, 2000, No. 9, Vol. LXVIII

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