Holodomor was a human-made famine that occurred in Soviet Ukraine from 1932 to 1933, resulting in millions of deaths. It was caused by Joseph Stalin's policies, including forced collectivization and grain requisition, which devastated the agricultural sector. The Ukrainian peasantry bore the brunt of the famine, with food being deliberately withheld by the Soviet government. Holodomor is widely recognized as a genocide by Ukraine and several other countries. The tragedy significantly impacted Ukrainian identity and history.
2023 Observances:
National Holodomor Week: November 20-24, 2023
Holodomor Memorial Day in Schools, November 24, 2023
Holodomor Memorial Day (Worldwide) November 25, 2023
Local Holodomor Events:
Holodomor 90 Commemoration
Sunday November 26, 2023 @ 2pm
Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School
1824 Rymal Rd E, Hamilton, ON L0R1P0
Film Screening - "Bitter Harvest"
Wednesday November 22, 2023 @ 7pm
Westdale Theatre
1014 King St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 1L4
https://www.thewestdale.ca/event/bitterharvest2017/
Holodomor Memorial Day Prayer
Father of mercies, we remember today our brothers and sisters who suffered and died of starvation and genocide 90 years ago in Ukraine. We pray for the repose of their souls and that their suffering and death be a reminder to us of our own duty to overcome evil with good.
Additionally, O Lord, we continue to pray for peace and for an end to conflict. Shower all people with your strength and unwavering protection, so that we may once again know the freedom of peace and love.
We ask all this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.
Amen.