The Holodomor was a government-imposed famine in the Ukrainian SSR that took place in 1932 and 1933, when an estimated 10 million men, women and children died of starvation.
The Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act, recognizes and commemorates the lives of those who perished as a result of this tragedy.
“Every year we pause to remember the horror of Holodomor and we renew our vow to never allow such atrocities to be repeated,” said Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
On Tuesday, November 25, from 12:00 noon to 12:30 p.m., Speaker Zwozdesky will host the sixth annual Holodomor commemoration in the Alberta Legislature rotunda.
Speakers at the Commemoration include:
- Hon. Jim Prentice, QC, Premier of Alberta
- Ms. Danielle Smith, Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition
- Dr. Raj Sherman, Leader of the Liberal Opposition
- Mr. Deron Bilous, Representing the New Democrat Opposition
- MLA Genia Leskiw, Chair, Advisory Council on Alberta-Ukraine Relations
- Mr. Walter Zaryckyj, Executive Director, Center for US-Ukrainian Relations
- Ms. Olesia Luciw-Andryjowycz, President, Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Prov. Council
The Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act was written and introduced as Bill 37 by the Honourable Zwozdesky. It received the unanimous support of the Legislative Assembly and came into force on November 4, 2008, proclaiming every fourth Saturday of November as a day of remembrance of the Holodomor.
Over 300,000 persons of Ukrainian ancestry call Alberta home, some of whom are survivors of the Holodomor or are descendants of those who suffered.