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EDMONTON – “On Black Ribbon Day we remember the victims of crimes perpetrated by the Communist and Nazi regimes,” said the Honourable Nathan Cooper, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.  “We stand with survivors and their descendants, many of whom found refuge and opportunity here in our province, and we renew our support for all who continue in their fight for freedom and struggle to flee oppression.”

Black Ribbon Day commemoration
Monday, August 23, 2021, at 3 p.m.
Legislature rotunda

The public is encouraged to attend the event in the Legislature rotunda or watch the live stream on assemblyonline.assembly.ab.ca/harmony or on the Assembly Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

Speaker Cooper will host the event, which will include remarks from Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. The program will also feature statements by community representatives, a prayer invocation offered by Rabbi Steven Schwarzman  and a performance by violinist Maya Budzinski.

The Black Ribbon Day commemoration event is presented with the following organizations: Honourary Consul of the Republic of Poland (North), Honourary Consul of the Republic of Poland (South), Honourary Consul of Hungary (Alberta), Honourary Consul of the Republic of Latvia, Hungarian Heritage Council, Hungarian Diaspora Council, Chargé d’affaires Hungarian Embassy, Canadian Polish Congress Alberta Society, Canadian Lithuanian Society, Canadian Hungarian Cultural Association of Calgary, Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council, Hungarian Cultural Society of Edmonton, and Imanta Latvian Society of Edmonton.

Black Ribbon Day is remembered each year on August 23. The Molotov-Ribbentrop pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union was signed on this date in 1939. This led to the occupation of numerous eastern and central European nations and the victimization of millions of people and contributed to the start of the Second World War. This year marks the 82nd anniversary of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact.

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Jeanette Dotimas, Communications Consultant
Legislative Assembly Office
Mobile: 780.862.6362
E-mail: Jeanette.Dotimas@assembly.ab.ca