EDMONTON, Alberta – Edmonton’s Ukrainian community joined communities around the world to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Holodomor with a solemn ceremony at City Hall. Attended by hundreds, the November 25 event also drew a large number of dignitaries.
Orysia Boychuk, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Edmonton Branch, opened the commemoration and acknowledged everyone for demonstrating their support for Holodomor remembrance. Briefly recounting the events of the Holodomor, she reiterated why it is important to remember not only the victims of the Famine-Genocide but also the reasons and consequences of this horrific event in Ukraine’s history.
The commemoration began with a panakhyda conducted by nearly 20 members of Edmonton’s Ukrainian clergy, including Bishop Ilarion of Edmonton and the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada; and Bishop David Motiuk of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton. The choir of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral under the direction of Dr. Melanie Turgeon sang the responses.
Master of ceremonies Yaroslav Broda introduced a lengthy list of dignitaries, including representatives from all three levels of government and Holodomor survivors.
Representing the federal government were Amarjeet Sohi, member of Parliament (MP) for Edmonton-Mill Woods and minister of infrastructure and communities, and Randy Boissonnault, MP for Edmonton Center. On behalf of Prime Minister Trudeau, they noted the importance of remembering the Holodomor. Also attending were MPs Linda Duncan of Edmonton Strathcona, Kelly McCauley of Edmonton West, Michael Cooper of St. Alberta and Dane Lloyd of Sturgeon River-Parkland.
On behalf of the government of Alberta and Premier Rachel Notley, present were Deron Bilous, member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview and minister for trade and economic development, along with Jessica Littlewood, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville.
Minister Bilous, who is proud of his own Ukrainian heritage, spoke eloquently about the significance of the Holodomor. He noted that since 2008, the Alberta government has proclaimed the fourth Saturday in November as a memorial day for the Holodomor.
Mayor Don Iveson noted, “in Edmonton, one in five people can claim at least some Ukrainian ancestry. But it is important for people of all nationalities to remember events like this. Human beings, under the wrong circumstances, are capable of extraordinary evil. But for our vigilance, evil can resurface at any time.”
He recalled how at last year’s commemoration, an intruder had barged in shouting “Nazi lies, Nazi lies” in response to the Holodomor. Mayor Iveson stated he personally was extremely angered by the hateful intrusion, but was deeply impressed by the dignity and calm with which all present reacted while the intruder was escorted out. He used this as an example of why we need to remain vigilant so that people with a misinformed notion of history cannot continue to perpetuate Soviet lies. Mr. Iveson particularly noted the importance of having children and youths present so that they can learn the importance of remembering historic crimes such as the Holodomor.
Also representing the city of Edmonton were Councilors Andrew Knack and Jon Dziadyk.
Representing the Edmonton Catholic School Board were Chairman Terry Harris, Vice-Chair Sandra Palazzo and trustees Alene Mutala and Lisa Turchansky. Also present was Boris Radyo, assistant superintendent for educational planning. It is noteworthy that, along with colleagues and members of Edmonton’s Ukrainian community, Mr. Radyo was instrumental to the introduction of the study of the Holodomor into the social studies curriculum in Edmonton Catholic schools for grades kindergarten through high school.
The participation of children and teens has become a hallmark of Edmonton’s annual Holodomor commemoration. As in past years, members of the Ukrainian Youth Association, Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization and the Ukrainian Orthodox Youth of Canada, along with children from the Ukrainian Saturday school Ridna Shkola and the Ivan Franko School of Ukrainian Studies attended and with their presence created the backdrop for the commemoration.
Five days earlier, on November 21, the Alberta Legislature marked Holodomor Remembrance Day at which Premier Rachel Notley stated: “Eighty-five years later, the deliberate destruction of families, learning and culture continues to be felt with profound sadness and loss.” Premier Notley explained, “By honoring the memory of those who suffered and died in Ukraine, we reaffirm our vigilance against all racism, violence, hatred and persecution.”
Edmonton’s Ukrainian community is fortunate to have 13 known Holodomor survivors remaining amongst its members. Sadly, however, only two, Natalka Talanchuk and Leonid Korownyk, were able to attend the commemoration. Through poetry, Mr. Korownyk kept the memory of the Holodomor alive. For many years, he has written about his experience as a child-survivor. Each poem is a powerful, poignant tribute to the memory of Holodomor victims. As in past years, he passionately delivered his poem, deeply touching his listeners.
The master of ceremonies, Mr. Broda recounted that “In the 18th century, French philosopher Voltaire wrote, ‘L’Ukraine a toujours aspire a etre libre’ – Ukraine has always aspired to be free. Because of this aspiration, Stalin saw fit to crush a people. The painful irony is that the breadbasket of Europe, a country with two growing seasons and soil so fertile that it was removed as spoils of war during World War II, was starved to death. Be it tsars in St. Petersburg or Bolsheviks in Moscow, a self-determined Ukrainian people posed an existential threat to the imperial project, therefore it was decided: Ukrainian grain was essential; the Ukrainian, however, was not.”
The keynote speaker was Dr. Serge Cipko, assistant director (research) at the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta. He is author or co-author of several volumes dealing with diaspora studies. His most recent book “Starving Ukraine: The Holodomor and Canada’s Response” was published in October.
In his remarks, Dr. Cipko discussed his analysis of newspapers, political speeches, personal letters and political activism among Canada’s Ukrainian community during the Holodomor and Canada’s response to it. He highlighted the desperate efforts of the community to bring attention to the starvation happening in Ukraine and to lobby for Canadian government support.
The children from the School of Ukrainian Studies at St. George Parish honored the Holodomor victims with song under the direction of teacher Anna Krupa and Principal Olia Myc, accompanied on piano by Lilea Wolanska. A final musical tribute was offered by violinist Daria Podilska, accompanied by pianist Paul Horpyniuk, in performing the very moving song “Svicha.”
As is the tradition in Edmonton, all present proceeded to the Holodomor Monument in front of City Hall for a final prayer and wreath-laying. Children and teens placed red carnations on the monument, while others placed small bundles of wheat. The monument was designed by internationally renowned artist Ludmilla Temertey, herself a child of Holodomor survivors. It was the first public monument erected to honor the silent victims of the Holodomor.