Yanukovych Returns Topic of Holodomor to Official Site

September 20, 2010 - Kyiv, Ukraine - The topic of the Holodomor, Ukrainian famine-genocide of 1932-33, has been returned to the official web site of the President of Ukraine.

The material, which was on the Presidential site during President Yushchenko’s term in office and deleted immediately after President Viktor Yanukovych’s inauguration in February of this year, includes historical information and initiatives leading up to and during commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of this crime against humanity.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress actively participated in the campaign spearheaded by the Ukrainian World Congress and its membership to have the information restored.

“The Ukrainian Canadian community calls upon Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych to properly memorialize the horrors of the Holodomor,” stated Paul Grod, Ukrainian Canadian Congress President. “No people can build a nation state without knowing their history, especially one as difficult and tragic as Ukrainian history. This web site is only one of a series of educational and commemorative initiates that the world expects the Government of Ukraine to champion.”

The news comes as Ukraine and the international community prepare to mark the 77th anniversary of the Holodomor, uniting in prayer with the Remembrance Candle (Svichka Molinnia). The Remembrance Candle is currently travelling across Ukraine and will be the focus of commemorative initiatives in over 30 countries of the Diaspora.

The Remembrance Candle will be introduced to Canada during the XXIII Congress of Ukrainian Canadians being held November 5-7 in Edmonton, Alberta. The Candle will be the focus of local commemorative events during National Holodomor Awareness Week, November 22-28.

The UCC calls upon all Canadians to participate in commemorative events marking the 77th anniversary of this genocide. Our responsibility to honour the victims and restore historical truth continues.

Keep the Flame Alive!