Holodomor Memorial Service

On Saturday 23rd November, Mary participated in the Holodomor Memorial Service, held in the Peace Garden at the Coventry Canal Basin. The event was organised by Mario Kosmirak and Roman Leshchyshyn, of the Coventry branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain.

The event commemorated those who died in the Ukrainian famine of 1932-33, when grain quotas introduced by Stalin meant there was a serious food shortage in Ukraine. Soviet laws forbid grain to be used locally until the quota was met, and Ukrainian grain was guarded by military and secret police units. This meant the local population was left to starve in a deliberate act of genocide. Modern estimates place the number of dead due to systemic starvation at around 4.5 million Ukrainians.

The event was especially poignant as we have just passed the 1000th day of the full scale invasion of Ukraine. In the face of Putin’s barbarism and imperialism, Ukrainians have defended their country with courage and a fierce determination to defend the values they cherish.   

Mary said, “We will stand with Ukraine against Russian aggression. Our response will remain one of strength, resilience and unity for as long as it takes. “