Sen. Raynell Andreychuk of Canada made the following statement ahead of the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day on Saturday, November 28.
The fourth Saturday in November has been recognized by Ukrainian communities throughout the world as a day to remember the millions killed when, through agricultural collectivization, Joseph Stalin set out to destroy Ukrainians’ aspirations for a free and independent Ukraine, and to finance rapid industrialization.
Holodomor Memorial Day is equally an occasion to promote the fundamental freedoms of a democratic society.
Amid ongoing challenges to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, this solemn commemoration provides occasion to assert that neither Famine-Genocide, nor invasion, can extinguish the Ukrainian national spirit.