Global Ukrainian communities prepare to commemorate Holodomor Remembrance Day

Every November, Ukraine and Ukrainian communities worldwide honor the memory of the victims of the Holodomor — the man-made forced genocide of the Ukrainian people that was carried out by the Soviet communist regime through an artificial famine in 1932–1933. This year, Holodomor Remembrance Day falls on Saturday, Nov. 22.

Ukrainian communities worldwide are actively preparing for commemorative events. The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) has compiled announcements from different countries.

Canada

In Toronto, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) will hold a commemoration on Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. local time.

“We invite the Toronto community to join us in honouring the millions of innocent victims of the Holodomor — the artificial famine created by the criminal Stalinist regime,” organizers wrote.

In Edmonton, a remembrance ceremony will take place on Nov. 18 at noon outside the Alberta Legislature building. Another event is planned for Nov. 22. The League of Ukrainian Canadian Women Edmonton will also host a screening of the documentary Moshchun, the Diary of Liudmyla Oleksandrivna by Ukrainian journalist and volunteer Ruslan Horovyi on Nov. 21.

In Vancouver, Ukrainians will gather on Nov. 23 at 12:45 p.m. at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral to remember the victims of the Holodomor.

UCC Manitoba is preparing a series of events, from lectures to memorial services. Communities in Hamilton, St. Catharines, and Victoria will also hold gatherings, including a ceremony in St. Catharines featuring UCCA President Michael Sawkiw and UWC Holodomor Committee Chair Olya Soroka.

United States

On Saturday, Nov. 22, Ukrainians in New York and the surrounding area will commemorate the victims of the Stalinist genocide, including a Memorial Liturgy at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The event is organized by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA).

Europe

In Lisbon, the community plans a candlelight march starting at 6:30 p.m. from the Holodomor Memorial to the UGCC Church of Our Lady of Nazareth for a memorial service, announced Pavlo Sadokha, UWC Vice President for Southern Europe and President of the Union of Ukrainians in Portugal (UUP)

Rome will hold a commemoration on Nov. 23 at 3 p.m, reported Oles Horodetskyy, leader of the Christian Association of Ukrainians in Italy.

Luxembourg, Gothenburg, and other cities across Europe are also preparing events.

In Finland, Ukrainians in Tampere will host a small discussion gathering on Nov. 20 to share family stories about the Holodomor. On Nov. 22, the Helsinki community will gather at the Monument to Past Generations at Hietaniemi Cemetery, followed by an ecumenical prayer at Lauttasaari Church.

Mykhaylo Petrunyak, president of the Federation of Associations of Ukrainians in Spain, called on Ukrainians everywhere to speak with local communities and authorities about the tragedy and its relevance today, as Russia once again commits genocide against Ukraine.

NAU — the Network of Associations for Ukraine — is calling on organizations and public figures to support the initiative to create a Holodomor memorial space in Milan and help bring the project to life.

In Vienna, a remembrance event will take place on Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. at Stephansplatz, featuring a candlelight memorial and an art installation symbolizing truth, justice, and the resilience of the Ukrainian people.

Asia

The Orthodox Church of Ukraine’s Mission in Japan will hold an interfaith memorial service in Tokyo to honour the victims of the Holodomor. Clergy from various religious groups will participate.

In New Zealand, the “Mahi For Ukraine” community in Auckland will host a candle-lighting event and a storytelling flashmob focused on family histories connected to the Holodomor.

Ukrainians in Türkiye will gather in Istanbul on Nov. 22 for a memorial rally, while the Ukrainian Union “Ukrainian Family” will hold a separate event dedicated to the millions of innocent victims.

South America

The Ukrainian Central Representation in Argentina invites the public to join the global Ukrainian community in honouring the victims of the Holodomor. A memorial prayer will be held on Nov. 22 at 4 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Chapel in Buenos Aires.

Jorge Danylyshyn, UWC Regional Vice President for South America and President of the Prosvita Ukrainian Cultural Society, announced an online discussion event dedicated to Holodomor Remembrance Day, to be held on November 22 on Zoom (in Spanish, with prior registration).

The International Coordinating Committee for Holodomor Awareness and Recognition of the Ukrainian World Congress expressed gratitude to Ukrainians worldwide for their continued advocacy and efforts to secure global recognition of the Holodomor as genocide.

To organize a Holodomor Remembrance event in your city, the UWC invites communities to explore available materials and join its global campaign.