Since the passing of Bill 40 in 2008 when Saskatchewan became the first province in Canada to recognize the Holodomor, Rama has continued to observe the fourth Saturday of November as the Commemoration of the Holodomor.
This year, Paul Kralka of Wadena, was the guest speaker, providing the background information of the genocide which took place in Ukraine in 1932-33. He spoke about his visit to Ukraine, during which his relatives described the horrific acts under the leadership of Joseph Stalin.
He noted that the starvation of from seven to 10 million citizens was deemed 鈥減ropaganda鈥� and that Soviet Russia refused to admit that genocide by starvation had actually happened.
Kralka said it was a journalist with The New York Times who salvaged a record of the event, proving that the sharp decrease in Ukraine鈥檚 population was indeed the result of the Holodomor.
Kralka described being overwhelmed by intense emotions when he visited the Holodmor memorial site in Kyiv. The site is known for a statue of a very skinny young girl, maybe 11 or 12 years old, who represented those dying of starvation.
After Kralka鈥檚 presentation, an intense and emotional discussion followed.
A moment of silence was observed as Mary Kowalyshyn read a prayer entitled "Ukraine Remembers 鈥� The World Acknowledges."
Kralka inspired the audience with a second prayer to "The Blessed Mother." It was followed by the ceremonial lighting of the Holodomor candle, conducted by Kralka and his wife Mary Ann.
Perhaps the most poignant means to commemorate the Holodmor, was for everyone in attendance to partake in a piece of dry bread. Not only did it symbolize hunger, but it was a means to recognize that wheat (bread) had become the weapon for the genocide.
Organizers of the Rama event explained why the 125th anniversary logo appeared in various places around the hall. Brochures with the logo were made available to all participants, with the explanation that 2016 will mark 125 years since the Ukrainian immigration to Canada began.
Mary Kowalyshen, an organizer, explained the significance of the 125th anniversary by saying, 鈥淲ith them, came their many talents 鈥� music, crafts, culture and food 鈥� that we all appreciate and enjoy!鈥�
Since first commemorating the Holodmor in 2008, the Rama organizers have compiled an elaborate display that includes: items from Ukrainian dancers, flags of Ukraine, Canada and Poland (as many Poles also were part of the genocide), dry bread, wheat, decorated Easter eggs (done by Vicky Buzinski), wedding bread, a certificate of recognition that was presented by MLA Ken Krawetz in 2010, Holodomor books, miniature Ukrainian wreaths, Ukrainian table cloths and Holodomor candles.
