Released on November 24, 2011
Deputy Premier Ken Krawetz was joined by members of the Government of Saskatchewan and the Official Opposition today for the lighting of a memorial candle as part of a remembrance service to commemorate the Holodomor genocide which devastated Ukraine in the 1930s.
"Today we gather to remember, but more importantly to stand-up as a community and as a province and recognize the forgotten genocide that is Holodomor," Krawetz said. "It is through this time of contemplation and reflection, that we can say together in one voice that we will never let an atrocity like this happen again, and we will never forget."
Saskatchewan was the first province in Canada to recognize the genocide, passing legislation in 2008, designating the fourth Sunday in November each year as Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day.
During International Holodomor Remembrance Week (November 21-27), people around the world reflect upon the millions of Ukrainians who died as a result of a man-made famine which devastated the country from 1932-33 under the regime of Joseph Stalin. It is believed that between seven to 10 million people died as a result.
The memorial candle, located in the Rotunda of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building, will remain lit for the week to show solidarity with people around the world who are taking time to remember.
In 2008, the government of Ukraine, the United States, the Senate of Canada, UNESCO and the United Nations joined more than 40 jurisdictions around the world to officially condemn the famine and recognize it as genocide.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Jay Teneycke
Office of the Provincial Secretary
Regina
Phone: 306-798-6095
Email: jay.teneycke@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-8630