The Ukrainian community of Los Angeles gathered at Gloria Molina Grand Park by the Holodomor Memorial Plaque to mark the 91st anniversary of this tragic event. The ceremony also served as an opportunity to commemorate the 1000th day since the start of russia's full-scale invasion.
This was reported The Southern California Holodomor Genocide Committee
The event was organized by The Southern California Holodomor Genocide Committee, the Ukrainian Culture Center, and the Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco, Dmytro Kushneruk. Participating in the ceremony were Ukraine’s Consul in San Francisco, Anna Zaichenko, and members of the clergy. Reverend Ihor Kostyuk, pastor of the Ukrainian Catholic Church; Reverend Vasyl Sosyur, pastor of St. Volodymyr’s Orthodox Church; and Reverend Myroslav Mykytiuk, pastor of St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church, led a memorial service to honor the victims of the Holodomor and those lost in the ongoing war.
Students from the Sunday School Ridna Shkola also joined the event, lighting candles of remembrance and laying flowers at the memorial to pay tribute to the millions who perished.
A keynote speech by Professor Norman Naimark of Stanford University became the highlight of the event. Professor Naimark is internationally renowned as an expert on genocide and the author of several books on the subject, including Stalin’s Genocides and Genocide: A World History.
The ceremony became a significant moment for the Ukrainian community, uniting people in collective remembrance and reminding the world of the atrocities committed by totalitarian regimes against the Ukrainian people.
“Today, in these difficult times, as Ukrainians face the brutality and genocide perpetrated by the descendants of the same oppressors, we need unity more than ever”, remarked Olena Simakovski.
Photo: Oleg Kharchenko
Author: Inna Mikhno