|
by Lesya Jones
The Ukrainian Weekly
January 21, 2001
TORONTO - The Toronto Branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in November
2000 sponsored commemorations of the victims of the 1933 genocidal famine in
Soviet Ukraine. This year's theme was "The Famine-Genocide of 1933 as Seen
Through the Eyes of Children."
The commemorative service was held at the St. Volodymyr Orthodox Cathedral.
After the service there was a solemn program conducted by journalist
Valentina Rodak and the president of St. Volodymyr Brotherhood, Petro
Jurczak.
Brotherhood member Leonid Lishchyna was the main speaker. In his erudite and
moving speech Mr. Lishchyna reviewed other genocides of the 20th century.
Particularly touching was the testimony of survivor Kateryna Shcherban. Mrs.
Shcherban recalled how her teacher tried to revive her pupils, exhausted
from starvation and cold, by telling them that there existed a school warm
and cheerful, where happy children sang, played and had wonderful and
plentiful lunches every day.
"Where, where is this school? We'll go there right away," cried the
children.
"In Moscow," replied the teacher. If any other children survived, surely
they remember the lesson of that day for the rest of their lives, Mrs.
Shcherban noted.
The president of the UCC Toronto Branch, Marika Szkambara, greeted the
solemn gathering and announced that at the founding congress of the
Association of Ukrainian Journalists of Canada and the United States, held
in Toronto on November 18, 2000, a resolution was passed to make every
effort to get journalist Walter Duranty's Pulitzer Prize rescinded
posthumously.
As The Moscow correspondent of The New York Times, Mr. Duranty wrote the
following: "And here are the facts ... there is no actual starvation or
death from starvation, but there is widespread mortality from disease due to
malnutrition ... these conditions are bad, but there is no famine." (The New
York Times, March 31, 1933, page 13). Meanwhile, unofficially he conceded
that it was quite possible that as many as 10 million people had died.
On November 19-24, a Famine-Genocide Art Exhibit was displayed in the
Toronto City Hall Rotunda. The drawings were produced by students attending
various Ukrainian schools. For an entire month, a dedicated teacher, Halia
Dmytryshyn visited the schools and taught the students about the 1933
genocidal famine. Their moving art work was the result of her lessons.
The UCC Toronto Branch's objective is to keep this art collection intact so
that it may serve as an inspiration to other teachers and students to
emulate
in the future.
On November 22 at 7 p.m. the Toronto City Hall Rotunda was the site of the
launch of a children's book titled "Enough" authored by Marsha
Forchuk-Skrypuch and illustrated by Michael Martchenko. The author is
well-known for her book about the Armenian genocide, which earned wide
dissemination and appreciation for Mrs. Forchuk-Skrypuch from the Armenian
community.
Upon arrival, survivors handed participants husks of wheat tied with a black
ribbon. Bishop Cornelius opened the ceremony with a prayer. Survivors
Benjamin Chmilenko, Paul Makohon and Valentyna Podasz, who in past years
took an active part in the annual commemorations, were honored. The program
was conducted by Michael Luchka.
Mrs. Forchuk-Skrypuch read selections from her book and welcomed questions
and comments. On display that evening were the original illustrations of the
book. Mr. Martchenko showed slides of his illustrations and explained the
process of their development. It was heartening to watch the keen interest
expressed by the students. Even the youngest asked questions.
At the end of the program students were presented by the author and the
illustrator with autographed copies of "Enough."
Among the guests were the consul of Ukraine, Anatoli Olijnyk, and a newly
re-elected member of the City Council, Gloria Lindsay Luby. It was evident
from her speech that Ms. Luby was deeply moved by the event.
And finally, on November 30, there was an academic lecture, "Revisiting the
Ukrainian Famine 1932-1933," by Ian Hunter, professor of law. The lecture
was held at the University of Toronto, Munk Center. Prof. Hunter is perhaps
best known for his biography of the intrepid journalist Malcolm Muggeridge
who risked his life and career by writing the truth about the
Famine-Genocide, as well as for serving as general counsel to the
International Commission of Jurists' Inquiry into the 1932-1933 Famine in
Ukraine.
[A complete report on Prof. Hunter's presentation appeared in The Weekly on
January 7.] The Ukrainian Weekly, January 21, 2001, No. 3, Vol. LXIX
http://www.ukrweekly.com/Archive/2001/030113.shtml
|
back
