HOLODOMOR COMMEMORATION CEREMONY AT THE LEGISLATURE OF ALBERTA
On November 20, 2012 at noon in the rotunda of Alberta’s Legislature Building, Albertans came together to honour those who perished in the tragic 1932-1933 famine-genocide of the Ukrainian people under Soviet rule. This tragic event was marked with a very solemn remembrance on the 4th anniversary of the coming into force of Alberta’s Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act. The Act recognizes the Holodomor and institutes a memorial day in Alberta to mark this tragedy every 4th Saturday in November annually.
The very moving commemoration mourned the victims of the atrocity of the manmade famine-genocide which took place in Ukraine 1932-1933. Hosted by the Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, MLA, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and sponsor of the Act in 2008, and Ms. Genia Leskiw, MLA Bonnyville-Cold Lake, Chair of the Advisory Council on Alberta Ukraine Relations, it brought together members of the government, the Ukrainian community and Albertans to remember and acknowledge the tragedy “ To remember those who perished, and to respect those who survive” . The event was also supported by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council formally represented by Ms. Daria Luciw, past president, and Ms. Barbara Hlus newly elected president.
The League of Ukrainian Canadians provided an exhibit of the Ukrainian famine based on archival records and personal accounts of the atrocities. The League of Ukrainian Canadian Women organized refreshments (holodnyi obid) that were served after the event in the lower rotunda. Pupils of the Ukrainian Bilingual Program at St. Martin’s and St. Matthew’s Catholic Schools attended and sang as a combined choir and performed an interpretive dance that was dedicated to the Holodomor.
The Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in Alberta welcomed everyone and introduced the commemoration program. The combined choir of school children from St. Martin’s and St. Matthew’s sang O Canada and the Ukrainian National Anthem. The following Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta had an opportunity to speak marking the solemn occasion with very moving words: Thomas Lukaszuk, Deputy Premier, Danielle Smith, Leader of the Official Opposition, Brian Mason, Leader of the New Democratic Opposition, Genia Leskiw, co-host and organizer of the commemoration. Daria Luciw, past president Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Alberta Provincial Council spoke on behalf of the Ukrainian community in Alberta and in conclusion Leonid Korownyk, a Holodomor survivor spoke. Each speaker in turn honoured the victims and acknowledged the atrocity of the famine-genocide and the unforgiveable denial of the Soviet regime that the famine even took place. Each speaker vowed that they, along with the Ukrainian community in Alberta, would remember and would do all they could to ensure that they would raise awareness of Holodomor so that such an atrocity would not happen again.
In conclusion the Ukrainian Bilingual students from St. Matthew’s Catholic School performed an Interpretive dance titled “Halyna’s Lament” and sang the Song of Remembrance “1933”. Thomas Lukaszuk, Deputy Premier lit a commemorative candle and all stood for a minute of silence in memory of the Holodomor victims. In silence each one present stood remembering those who perished, and reflecting upon the plight of those who have suffered the consequences of tyranny in the past; each vowing to remember and work towards ensuring that this type of event is not repeated ever again.
