Holodomor Commemoration in Toronto

By Walter Derzko

The Toronto community commemorated the sombre 80^th anniversary of the Holodomor on Saturday November 23 at the Toronto City Hall. A packed rotunda witnessed this solemn occasion. Both Bishops - His Grace Bishop Andriy (UOCC) and His Grace Bishop Stephen (UCC) and representative clergy conducted a requiem mass dedicated to the millions of Holodomor victims. The evening was MC’ed by Slawko Borys of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Toronto Branch. Milya Bayrachnya, a granddaughter of a Holodomor survivor and Mykola Latysho, a Holodomor survivor himself spoke passionately and emotionally about this tragic event, reminding children in the audience and future generations to never forget.

Various levels of government were represented throughout the evening. Federal MP’s the Honorable Tim Uppal, Stella Ambler and Bernard Trottier brought greetings from the Conservatives and the Prime Minister. Peggy Nash read greetings from the Opposition and Mr. Thomas Mulcair. Other MPP’s that spoke included David Levac, Speaker of the House, the Honorable Michael Coteau and Cheri DiNovo. A City of Toronto Proclamation recognizing the Holodomor as a genocide against Ukrainians was read by Stefka Stadnyk.

The closing remarks were read by Oksana Rewa, President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Toronto Branch, followed by a moment of silence and a tolling of bells.