News and Announcements

Edmonton – The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, the Honourable Nathan Cooper, will host a ceremony in the Legislature rotunda on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, beginning at 12:15 p.m. to mark Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day in Alberta. Holodomor is a Ukrainian word that means “extermination by starvation.” 

“Holodomor was the horrific man-made famine in the Soviet Ukraine, and it is remembered as one of the darkest periods in human history,” said Speaker Cooper. “In commemorating the Holodomor, we join with the people of Ukraine and Ukrainians around the world honouring the victims of this terrible tragedy, remembering their suffering and giving voice to their stories.” 

The service will include remarks from: Honourable Jason Kenney, MLA, Premier of Alberta; Deron Bilous, MLA for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview, on behalf of the Leader of the Official Opposition; Oleksandr Danyleiko, Consul General of Ukraine in Edmonton; and Orysia Boychuk, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council. A candle lighting, prayer and moment of silence will conclude the ceremony. 

The event will be livestreamed on assembly.ab.ca as well as the Legislative Assembly’s Twitter, Facebook and YouTube channels. Media may access the feed or request a download link following the event if necessary. In-person attendance is restricted due to current public health recommendations as the health and safety of Members, staff and visitors remains the top priority for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Event photos will be uploaded to flickr.com/photos/legassemblyofab/ post-service. 

The Holodomor was a government-imposed famine in the Ukrainian SSR that saw 10 million people die of starvation from 1932 to 1933. This year marks the 12th anniversary of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta’s Bill 37, Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act. The Act proclaims the fourth Saturday in November of each year as a day of Holodomor remembrance in Alberta, home to 369,000 people of Ukrainian ancestry. 

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Media inquiries: 
Janet Laurie, Communications Consultant
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
780.288.8069
Janet.laurie@assembly.ab.ca