WATERLOO UKRAINIAN STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (WUSA) HOLODOMOR COMMEMMORATION
During National Holodomor Awareness Week (November, 2011) the Waterloo Ukrainian Students’ Association (WUSA) held commemorative events to raise awareness of the Holodomor, the 1932-33 artificial famine that claimed millions of lives in Ukraine. During the week, WUSA members from the University of Waterloo and Sir Wilfrid Laurier University displayed information booths in campus student centers. The exhibit “Famine by Genocide”, produced by the League of Ukrainian Canadians, captured the attention of other students and faculty members at both universities. WUSA members distributed small cards and bookmarks with information about the Holodomor and spread awareness of this tragedy.
A commemorative service (panachyda) was also organized in conjunction with the Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox parishes in the Kitchener/Waterloo community. WUSA representatives, parishioners and members of the Ukrainian community gathered at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Transfiguration in Kitchener to honour those that perished in the Holodomor. The vigil was led by Fr. Yanishevsky and Fr. Shmyhelskyy. Following this was the screening of “Genocide Revealed”, an award-winning documentary produced and directed by filmmaker Yurij Luhovy. The film was viewed over a symbolic light meal consisting of home-made borscht, made by WUSA members, and dark rye bread. Voluntary donations were collected to support the production costs of the film.
These events united the Ukrainian community of Kitchener-Waterloo in commemoration of Holodomor victims and helped raise awareness of the genocide against Ukrainians.
