Ukrainiana

Ukraine Remembers the Holodomor

Today, Ukraine remembers the victims of the Holodomor, Stalin's genocidal famine that collectivized the breadbasket of Europe into the graveyard of 7 to 10 million Ukrainians in 1932-33.

The "Light a Candle" remembrance ceremony held at the Holodomor Memorial on Mykhailvska Ploshcha (Square) was attended by thousands of Ukrainians. In memory of the victims, they lighted 33 thousand candles.

Having skipped the official part of the ceremony, I made my way to Mykhailvska Ploshcha.


The funicular had a busy day


The EU-aspiring Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs overlooks Mykhailvska Ploshcha


Mykhailvska Ploshcha












Dressed in black are cadets of the Ivan Bohun Military Lyceum








Ukraine remembers! The Holodomor of 1932-33 was the genocide of the Ukrainian people.
At the background is Mykhailivsky Zlatoverkhy Monastyr, or St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral


Light a candle in the window!










A cross of candles




The Monument to Princess Olha










Candles line up Mykhalivska Ploshcha

On my walk back home, I checked the windows in my neighborhood and counted more than twenty candlelights. Last year, I counted less than ten.

Slowly but surely Ukrainians gain awareness of their past. Slowly but surely the windows of their souls open to Soviet crimes against humanity, crimes that must be remembered and not repeated.