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	"HOLODOMOR IN UKRAINE THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD"
	"Holodomor in Ukraine Through the Eyes of a Child" Students of 6-8 grades of Toronto Schools, Ontario, Canada Exhibition in Kyiv, Ukraine at the VIII Ukrainian World Congress Sponsored by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) August 18-21, 2003 A special exhibition of artwork was held in Kyiv, Ukraine on August 18-21, 2003 in conjunction with the VIII Ukrainian World Congress. The exhibition was entitled "Holodomor in Ukraine Through the Eyes of A Child," and featured artwork by the students of the sixth to eighth grades of Toronto Schools, Ontario, Canada. The idea to combine art painted by school children with the subject of The Famine-Genocide in Ukraine (1932-1933) came about one Sunday afternoon by a chance meeting of two teachers attending a church tea. One, early childhood teacher and artist Halia Dmytryshyn, the other elementary teacher, Maria Szkambara, President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), Toronto Branch, and a member of its Famine Genocide Commemorative Committee. (Click on images to enlarge them) In the past UCC has invited young people in the community to participate in events and activities relating to Famine Genocide commemoration as well as provided information, books, pamphlets and visual materials to schools in the hopes of furthering children's knowledge and encouraging students to use this material to write about this subject in their History, Social Studies and English classes. This year the goal was to provide students the opportunity to experience "The Famine-Genocide" through their own artwork, "through their own eyes", to allow them to express their thoughts and feelings with paint and brushes. With enthusiastic support of all the other Famine Genocide Commemorative Committee members: Lesya Jones, Lesia Korobaylo and Chair Eugene Yakovitch, THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD: THE FAMINE-GENOCIDE OF UKRAINE in 1932-1933, was launched. This project was a huge undertaking and involved the principals, teachers and children of four Toronto area elementary schools: St Demetrius, St. Josaphat, St. Sofia and Joseph Cardinal Slipyj. Over 200 students took part in the full-day workshops during October 2000, and 210 works of art were painted by children of Grades 6, 7, and 8. The project culminated with an Art Exhibit at the Toronto City Hall Rotunda, on display during the week-long Famine Genocide events in November 2000. A commemoration service held on November 22, 2000 at 7 p.m. was a memorable evening, which included many guests, dignitaries, speakers, as well as Famine Genocide survivors. Guest author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, launched her new book "Enough", based on the Famine in Ukraine. Also present was guest artist Michael Marchenko, illustrator of "Enough" as well as numerous other well-known childrens' books. Many of the young artists were also present with their families and accepted autographed copies of "Enough" for their school libraries presented to them by Maria Szkambara, President of UCC-Toronto Branch.     In the 1920's 1930's, the people of Ukraine, Lived north of the Black Sea, on beautiful terrain, in villages, cities, towns and farms Trees and flowers grew all around. The people were hardworking and strong, Proud of their heritage and bountiful land, And dearly yearned someday to see their beloved country, Ukraine, Independent and free! The people were content, to live their lives as God had meant, To tend their families, homes, animals and farms, To pray to God and go to church To celebrate traditional feasts To laugh and dance and sing their songs. And blessed with land rich in minerals and good soil, Ukrainians lived life filled with hard work and fruitful-toil.   A fragment   Their fields were vast and ripe with wheat, The land was rich, black soil ran deep. They grew all manner of food to eat. Cabbages, fruit, berries and beets. Sunflowers, turnips, grain and seeds. And everyone in Europe knew That in Ukraine's Bread Basket grew: The richest grain and golden wheat, That weaved and danced upon the wind, And pushed its stalks toward the sun.     Baskets were filled and stored away, Food would be needed each wintry day. At Harvest's end, the people prayed to Thank God for all that He gave. They also prayed in the dark of night, That no one come to take away, That which belonged to them, each day. But in their hearts, Ukrainians knew, The enemy, not far away was coming closer everyday. The communists from Russian lands formed into dangerous bands They came to force all farmers to forfeit their land and join collective farms.     With guns in hand - the enemy came, In trucks and tanks, on horses too, In wagons, trains and on foot, By threat of force they swarmed the land. And took away all food and grain, Till only stalks, husks, and empty fields remained. The people knew not where to turn, As hunger took it's terrible toll. Day by day the sadness grew, The sorrow, fear and despair They felt was beyond all words to tell. Mothers held their children's heads and Pressed them close upon their hearts To hush their cries - they had not milk or food to give And many died upon their beds.     People searched and hunted for food Through meadows, woods and fields, They took whatever they could find to eat, leaves, seeds, grass, even tiny birds. But as time went by, No matter what they did, However hard they looked and searched, All their precious food was gone. Still, people prayed upon their knees, And asked for help in their great need. Candles lit in the dark of the night, They begged for help in their desperate plight. But no help came from near or far, And it soon became very clear, Roaming the land like ravaging wolves, The horror of Famine was here.     Over the land, all you saw, Were bloated bodies, lying their, Starving children and people dying, Death's "Grim Reaper" hovered everywhere. The land which once was golden and bright, Turned into darkness overnight. Ravaged by crops torn out of the ground, Tears, mingled with blood to stain it brown. All across Eastern Ukraine, Crosses and graves covered the terrain. Death didn't care if you were big or small, Bodies lay dead where they fell, Few were left to mourn them all. After the ruthless communists came, Millions of people died in Ukraine.     Borders were sealed as though with a shroud, Help for Ukraine would not be allowed. No nation would answer her plea, The world would not know or see, The Hunger and Genocide brought to be, By the Communist forces in 1933. NO ONE ANSWERED UKRAINE'S CALL, NO ONE HEARD AND NO ONE SAW 10,000,000 UKRAINIANS FALL! By Halia Dmytryshyn Famine-Genocide in Ukraine 1933 Website Famine-Genocide Commemorative Committee Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) Toronto Branch, Ontario, Canada http://faminegenocide.com/index-commemoration.html THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD THE FAMINE-GENOCIDE OF UKRAINE 1932-1933 ART EXHIBIT PROJECT Toronto, Ontario November 2000 Sponsored by Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) - Toronto Branch Curator and Art Teacher, Halia Dmytryshyn http://faminegenocide.com/index-resources.html Material Posted with Permission from Halia Dmytryshyn FOR ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL USE ONLY

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