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UWC Commemorates the 87th Anniversary of the Holodomor Genocide and Announces Network of Descendants

On November 27, 2020, the Ukrainian World Congress called on Ukrainian communities around the world to light candles of remembrance to honour the victims of the Holodomor genocide of 1932-33. Of significance this year was the announcement of a new project of the UWC: The International Network of Holodomor Victims.

The virtual event was attended by the President of UWC, Paul Grod; the Chair of the International Coordinating Committee for Holodomor Awareness and Recognition, Stefan Romaniv; His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC); His Beatitude Epiphanius, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU); and Olga Soroka, Head of the International Network of Holodomor Victims.

In his opening remarks, the UWC President emphasized that “The Holodomor is not just a tragedy for Ukraine. The trauma of the Holodomor has become a part of life in every country where Ukrainians live. Since its founding, the Ukrainian World Congress has shared the truth about the Holodomor with the world. Today, we stand with every country in the world, as well as the UN, to recognize the Holodomor as a genocide of the Ukrainian people. The world needs to know the truth, which is why the Ukrainian World Congress is establishing an International Network of Holodomor Descendants.”

“We, the descendants, know the truth. We have heard our families talk about their suffering during the Holodomor, and we are obliged to pass this story on to future generations to unite those blood relatives of Holodomor survivors,” said the head of the International Network of Holodomor Victims, Olga Soroka.

Stefan Romaniv, Chair of the International Coordinating Committee for Holodomor Awareness and Recognition, spoke about the actions and initiatives of the Ukrainian World Congress in partnership with various other organizations. In particular, he spoke about the petition currently collecting signatures to include the word “Holodomor” in the English dictionary. You can sign the petition by following the link.

Fundraising for the construction of the second phase of the National Museum of the Holodomor Genocide, scheduled to open in 2023, has recently begun on the Zerna Pravdy (Grains of Truth) platform. In addition, with the support of the Ukrainian World Congress, the National Museum of the Holodomor Genocide is exhibiting Lesya Marushchak’s “Project MARIA,” from November 20, 2020, to March 31, 2021.

On November 28, 2020, UWC mission to Ukraine joined the Holodomor commemoration in Kyiv. Solemn Prayer of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church Heads in Kyiv, near the National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide was also attended by the Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine Larisa Galadze, UWC Vice President Lenna Koszarny and the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine Andy Hunder. We thank Ukrainians from all over the world who have joined and continue to join the global “Light a Candle” campaign.

Ukrainian World Congress thanks Ukrainian Credit Union Limited for continued support

On Nov 26, 2020, as part of a meeting between the leadership of the Ukrainian Credit Union Limited and the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), Ukrainian Credit Union Limited presented the next $ 25 000 instalments of the multi-year pledge to strengthen UWC policy research & advocacy.

The generous pledge, initiated by the Ukrainian Credit Union Limited in 2020, enhances UWC programming in support of Ukraine’s reform agenda, as well as helps promote stronger ties of the diaspora with Ukraine. The program also focuses on furthering Ukraine’s economic development & prosperity and on fostering an international coalition of support for Ukraine.

“We thank our long-term valued partner, Ukrainian Credit Union Limited, for continued support to UWC initiatives, especially amid today’s unprecedented challenges.” – stated Paul Grod, UWC President. – “Together, we continue to shape the future of the Ukrainian communities worldwide, as well as support Ukraine on the path of democratic reform and Euro-Atlantic integration in the face of ongoing Russian aggression”

“Ukrainian World Congress is an organization that is vital to the continued flourishing of Ukrainian communities around the globe. Ukrainian Credit Union Limited is proud to support UWC’s efforts financially and morally. Our gift will help UWC continue its work in both the diaspora and Ukraine.” – stated Slawko (Yaroslaw) Borys, Chairman of the Board, Ukrainian Credit Union Limited.

Remembering the day of dignity and freedom

7 years ago, on this day,  the people of Ukraine stood up in defence of their will to live freely in a democracy that respects the choice of the people. This day, which began a spiral of events leading to the Revolution of Dignity with tragic consequences, is now marked as the Day of Dignity and Freedom.

On November 21, 2013, precipitated by the refusal of the Yanukovych regime to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, the peaceful protest was answered by authorities with violence spurring the country to rise up in mass demonstrations.

Global Ukrainian communities did not stay aside. Ukrainians staged rallies in support of the Revolution of Dignity and Freedom, Euromaidans in European capitals, in the cities of Canada, the United States, Australia, Asia, and Oceania. They shared the truth about the Yanukovych regime, and UWC leaders became the voices of the free Ukrainian people.

The fight for freedom that began 7 years ago today continues as the hybrid war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine persistently claims the lives of brave soldiers and innocent civilians alike, and a rampant disinformation campaign aims to discredit Ukraine and its people.

“The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) pays tribute to those who took a stand in defence of the Ukrainian people’s right to live in dignity and freedom, and to those who continue to stand on the frontlines of this modern-day war refusing to allow Ukraine to once again be pulled under the yoke of a foreign aggressor,” stated UWC President Paul Grod. “We urge the international community to remember the sacrifices made by the Ukrainian people in the name of global peace and security, and remain steadfastly on the side of the Ukrainian people.”

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Heroes!

Image by: Радіо Свобода

UWC President speaks at Ukraine Reform Conference event

On November 17, 2020, UWC President Paul Grod spoke at a key event dedicated to reform priorities in Ukraine: the online forum “Dialogues on Reforms: Towards Vilnius,” part of the Ukraine Reform Conference. 

The UWC President discussed the state and priorities of reforms in Ukraine with Olga Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, Katarina Maternova, Deputy Director–General of the European Commission’s Department of European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, and others.   

In his speech, Paul Grod stressed that until the rule of law is integrated into the Ukrainian reality, it is difficult to expect real progress on reforms. The rule of law and respect for judicial procedures are key in this regard. 

The UWC President also drew attention to the role of the diaspora in supporting reforms and outlined steps the Ukrainian state could take.  

“The organized diaspora is a powerful advocate for Euro-Atlantic integration and Ukraine’s reform course, but the law on citizenship and multiple citizenships is also important to us. The experience of countries that actively involve their diaspora in the development of their countries – in particular, the experience of the Baltic states, can become very relevant for Ukraine,“ said Paul Grod.   

Video discussion in Ukrainian

Video discussion in English 

Program of the “Dialogues on Reforms: Towards Vilnius” Forum within the Ukraine Reform Conference: November 17-27  

“MARIA”: the world-famous Holodomor exhibition in Ukraine for the first time

On November 20, 2020, Lesia Maruschak’s exhibition, “MARIA” will be presented at the Holodomor Museum in Kyiv. This world-famous exhibition on the Holodomor genocide has been presented in over 9 countries and is now being displayed in Ukraine for the first time.

The exhibition will be open from November 20, 2020, to March 31, 2021, thanks to the support of the Ukrainian World Congress.  The livestream will be available on Facebook

Keynote speakers:

Olesya Stasiuk – General Director of the National Museum of the Holodomor Genocide;

Serhiy Kasyanchuk – Director of the UWC Mission to Ukraine;

Larisa Galadza – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Ukraine

Invited speakers :

Vasyl Bodnar – Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine;

Volodymyr Sheiko – General Director of the Ukrainian Institute.

The author, Lesya Maruschak, will take part in the opening via video.

EXHIBITION “Maria” is a mobile memorial space that bolsters the memory of the victims of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 and contributes to dialogue on social justice and human rights. At the centre of the exhibition is the image of a girl, Maria, who, despite the intention of Stalin, survived, unlike millions of other victims of the Soviet genocide in Ukraine.

The artist’s works convey an emotional and rational response to this atrocity, constructed on the basis of a study of the stories of Holodomor survivors. These stories are common in the Ukrainian Canadian community, where the artist was born and raised.

In September 2020, The Guardian published a photo of “Project Maria” in an article about the best photographs from the Landskrona Festival. The book “Maria,” which is based on the exhibition, was shortlisted for the Book Awards at the Rencontres d’Arles in France (2019) and won the award for best design at the International Book Arsenal Festival in Kyiv (2019).

LESIA MARUSCHAK – a research-based artist, whose work examines memory and identity, using sensuality and visuality to awaken deep emotions. Her work has been featured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris, the Boston Athenaeum, Stanford University, Columbia University, and the Library of Congress.

The exhibition was made possible by the International Coordinating Committee for Holodomor Awareness and Recognition of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), which works with the international community to have the Holodomor of 1932-33 formally recognized as genocide, counter misinformation, and raise awareness about the Holodomor around the world.

Ukrainian communities around the world honor Holodomor victims. Calendar of virtual events

In November 2020, Ukrainian communities around the world will honour the memory of the victims of one of the greatest tragedies of the Ukrainian people, perpetrated by the Stalinist regime: the Holodomor of 1932-33. On November 27, 2020, the UWC International Coordinating Committee for Holodomor Awareness and Recognition of the Ukrainian World Congress will hold a virtual commemoration of the 87th anniversary of the Holodomor and present a unique project – the Network of Descendants

Virtual commemorations, memorial services, academic conferences, and educational lectures will be taking place on every continent, in almost every Ukrainian community around the globe.

On November 7, 2020, UWC President Paul Grod took part in a virtual commemoration of the 5th anniversary of the unveiling of the Holodomor Memorial, located near the Congress House in Washington, DC, USA. Watch the video

On November 8, 2020, the Ukrainian community in Los Angeles, CA, USA paid tribute to Ukrainian families who were victims of the Holodomor. Memories and a memorial service for the victims were held at the Ukrainian Cultural Center. Watch the video

On November 9, 2020, the Ukrainian community in the city of Veszprém, Hungary presented Oles Volya’s book “Storm,” translated into Hungarian. The book, dedicated to the Holodomor, was translated by Nicolas Olas-Hortyani. Find out more

In honour of Holodomor Remembrance Day, November 28, virtual events will be held around the world.

Here are just a few of them – the calendar will be updated:

• November 18, 2020 – Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the University of Minnesota and the Ukrainian American Community Center, Minneapolis are hosting a virtual event in commemoration of International Holodomor Memorial Day: Teaching a Genocide the World Forgot by Valentina Kuryliw Director of Education, Holodomor Research & Education Consortium, CIUS, Univ. of Alberta Chair, National Holodomor Education Committee, Ukrainian Canadian Congress Board Member, Ukrainian Canadian Research and Documentation Centre (Holodomor). Read more

• November 18, 2020 –  The International Foundation for the Development of the Holodomor Victims Memorial presents the zernapravdy.org platform. Crowdfunding platform was set up by the International Foundation for the Development of the Holodomor Victims Memorial, one of the co-founders of which is the Ukrainian World Congress.
• November 18, 2020 – Ukrainian National Federation (UNF O-G) invites you to their Holodomor event showcasing “Globally Acclaimed Artist, Lesia Maruschak, and her MARIA Exhibit”. Everyone welcome. Registration deadline November 16th – click here to register.

• November 19, 2020 –  The Holodomor Research and Education Consortium invites you to their annual Holodomor lecture in Toronto, given by Canadian historian Dr Bohdan Klid. The Last Stand: The Third All-Ukrainian Conference of the Communist Party (bolsheviks) of Ukraine and the Holodomor. Find out more

• November 21, 2020 – The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) invites you to attend Canada’s National Online Holodomor Commemoration. The annual Holodomor commemoration on Parliament Hill will be replaced this year by a virtual commemoration, in partnership with the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada. Read more

• November 22, 2020 – The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, in conjunction with the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America, is hosting a Holodomor commemoration. The event will feature testimonies from the children of survivors and remarks from Andrea Chalupa, the screenwriter of the 2019 film “Mr Jones.” Find out more

• November 28, 2020 – The Association of the Ukrainian Diaspora in Greece “Ukrainian Greek Thought” and its chair Halyna Masliuk, under the auspices of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Hellenic Republic, organizes a teleconference on the terrible crime of the Stalinist regime – the Holodomor.

• November 28, 2020 – The Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies and the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium present “A conversation with Anne Applebaum,” author of a unique book on the Holodomor, “Red Famine: Stalin’s War on Ukraine.” Read more

• November 30, 2020 – The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation invites you to a virtual interview with Dr Alexander Motyl, a Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University-Newark, on the 87th anniversary of the Holodomor.  Find out more

• December 3, 2020 – The Holodomor Research and Education Consortium presents a virtual presentation by Professor Lubomyr Luciuk entitled, “What Mendel Osherowitch saw: Ukraine during the Holodomor.” Read more

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), as a co-founder of the International Foundation for the Development of the Holodomor Victims’ Memorial, is actively involved in the “Grains of Truth” virtual project. Learn more

UWC also calls for all Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine to support a campaign to get the term HOLODOMOR included in all major English language dictionaries. We’re asking for your support to share the campaign widely, and to sign the petition here

Remembrance Day: global Ukrainian communities pay tribute to the fallen

The Ukrainian World Congress pays tribute on this Remembrance Day to all of the brave men and women who, throughout the years, have served their countries to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms that we cherish today.  

Global Ukrainian communities come together every November to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our future. We honour the valour and courage and vow to never forget. 

We also honour the courageous defenders of Ukraine’s sovereignty and the many soldiers serving in armed forces today in different parts of the world to maintain peace in an unstable world. 

Remembrance Day may look different this year, but its solemn meaning remains true. 

Lest we forget!  

Ukrainians around the world celebrate the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) and the united Ukrainian diaspora around the world join in celebrating the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language, which falls symbolically on the commemorative day of Nestor the Chronicler.

The Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language, established in the early years of Ukraine’s independence, “given the important role of the Ukrainian language in the consolidation of Ukrainian society,” is a special day for Ukrainians around the world. The Ukrainian language is a unique national treasure of our people, which unites generations of Ukrainians in the diaspora around our most important national tasks, one of which today is the support of Ukraine.

For Ukrainians in Ukraine, the Ukrainian language is an integral component of unity around national problems, a means of well-being and protection of one’s interests, and an underwriter of Ukraine’s independence.

“Being aware of the role of the Ukrainian language and our responsibility to pass it on to future generations, Ukrainians in the diaspora, persistently fighting the assimilation process, preserve, support and promote Ukrainian in their countries of residence. The UWC International Educational Coordinating Council calls on all Ukrainians in the diaspora and in Ukraine to cherish the Ukrainian language, to use it extensively in their daily lives, and to raise its status and prestige,” said Oksana Levytska, Chair of the IECC.