Source: Voice of America
The UWC President Paul Grod described the sudden death of Stefan Romaniw, the first UWC Vice President, as a tremendous tragedy. In an interview with Voice of America, he mentioned that Stefan Romaniw led the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) and was a former leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists. He also coordinated efforts at the Ukrainian World Congress regarding the recognition of the Holodomor as genocide against the Ukrainian people.
“He was a tremendous patriot and activist, a man who acted more than he spoke. Yet, he was also a gifted speaker, always smiling, able to lift everyone’s spirits while carrying out vital work. His loss is a profound tragedy for us,” Paul Grod shared his memories.
The UWC President highlighted that for over 15 years, Romaniw led a Committee within the UWC dedicated to securing recognition of the Holodomor as genocide against the Ukrainian people.
“There were many highly active and significant initiatives,” he said. “For example, the Unbroken Candle campaign, which traveled to 33 countries worldwide to inform citizens about the Holodomor in Ukraine and to persuade politicians in those countries to pass laws recognizing the Holodomor as genocide. I witnessed this in Canada, where Stefan, holding the candle alongside survivors of the Holodomor, participated in various events,” recalled the UWC President.
As of today, the Ukrainian World Congress continues Stefan Romaniw’s efforts, said Grod. Specifically, the Holodomor Descendants’ Network has been established. “We urge all descendants of Holodomor victims to join the global coalition because few eyewitnesses remain. Even children and descendants of survivors must continue to tell and collect this history,” emphasized the UWC President.
Remembering Stalinist Holodomor amidst Putinist Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine
Paul Grod highlighted that in the context of the current war in Ukraine against Russian aggression, the historical memory of the Holodomor holds increased relevance for the global community.
“Just as Stalin attempted to destroy the Ukrainian people 90 years ago through genocide, today Putin seeks to destroy the Ukrainian people through genocidal war,” Grod stated.
He believes that the Russian people back the Kremlin’s efforts to annihilate Ukrainians and that grasping the history of this war is essential for forming realistic expectations about the future.
“This history helps to understand the racism or fascism of the Russian people against Ukrainians, which has existed for many centuries and with which, sadly, we will continue to fight for many years,” Grod emphasized.
When asked how Ukrainians worldwide can continue Romaniw’s mission of educating the world about Ukraine’s tragic history, Paul Grod recommended approaching this task from Romaniw’s perspective: “He often likened the process to building church parishes—not just the physical structures, but fostering a community within them. To work effectively in a parish, we must collaborate and persuade others to join our cause,” Grod explained.
Therefore, it is crucial for every Ukrainian, regardless of where they reside, to take responsibility and actively engage in sharing this history with others every day.
“It’s achievable, as demonstrated by precedents in some countries. For instance, Canada officially recognized the Holodomor as genocide in 2006, coinciding with the arrival of the Unbroken Candle in the country, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about the Holodomor,” Grod reminded.
Stefan Romaniw passed away at the age of 68 in Warsaw on June 26, as reported by the Ukrainian Youth Association – an organization to which he was a dedicated member.
The Ukrainian Youth Association is an organization where children are raised with a patriotic spirit. The organization’s network is widespread in many countries around the world, including Ukraine and the USA.
“We must not allow either in ourselves or in others fatigue or discouragement,” Stefan Romaniw’s words, quoted by CYM, are the motto of his life.
Stefan Romaniw was born on November 12, 1955, in Melbourne, Australia. His father, Ilko Romaniw, was originally from Ternopil, and his mother was a German from Stuttgart. They immigrated to Australia in 1949.
