REGINA — It was a day of reflection on Tuesday at the Legislature as Saskatchewan commemorated the millions who died during the Holodomor in Ukraine.
Holodomor is Ukrainian for "extermination by hunger." The man-made famine had been forced upon Ukraine by the Soviet Union in 1932-33, leading to the deaths of millions of Ukrainians.
At the rotunda of the Legislature, several MLAs and Ukrainian representatives were on hand for the service commemorating the tragedy. That was followed by the laying of wreaths to the east of the Legislature at the replica of the statue Bitter Memories of Childhood by sculptor Preto Drozdowsky. The monument itself was restored this year with $50,000 in funding from the Provincial Capital Commissioners.
"More than nine decades have passed, yet the memory of Holodomor remains etched in the soul of Ukrainian people," Provincial Secretary Jamie Martens said in a statement. "Across Saskatchewan, and around the world, Ukrainian descendants and members of the wider public come together to commemorate Holodomor, honouring the millions who suffered and perished during one of history's darkest chapters."
The ceremonies at the Legislature are part of Holodomor Memorial Week, and were held in advance of International Holodomor Day, which is Nov. 22.
The commemorations at the Legislature happened the same day as the Grey Cup victory celebrations for the Saskatchewan Roughriders at the Legislature later that afternoon. Ken Krawetz, Honourary Consul for Ukraine in Saskatchewan and current Chair of the Saskatchewan – Ukraine Advisory Committee, hoped the importance of the Holodomor would not be lost on people that day.
“And you know that’s what I was worried about because it’s a solemn occasion today. Today recognizes the fact that somewhere between five and 8 million people (died) — I mean that number is unknown. When I was in Ukraine (I) saw the books that contained my last name, and the children that’s perished, and they were three years old and six years old. And many, many, many people died.
“So today — while we we understand that, you know, we can’t pick the day — this was part of the holiday memorial week — but again… that’s why we choose the time we did, to make sure that the parade can continue this afternoon.”
Krawetz noted the continued importance of what happened in the Holodomor to those living in Saskatchewan today. Many of those who perished, he said, have descendants who are here in Saskatchewan.
“We know that in Saskatchewan, there are about 140,000 people or more because it is growing,” said Krawetz, who also pointed to the continued war with Russia.
“We continue to receive displaced Ukrainians from Ukraine that are escaping the war that continues. You know people did not believe that a war would last four years, and we’re almost at that level when we get to Feb. 2026.”
