UWC launches international student project to mark 90th Holodomor anniversary

To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor Genocide of 1932-33, the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) announces the launch of a unique project for students in grades 8-12 worldwide. The project envisions students collecting stories from third and fourth generations of Holodomor descendants; the students would also share their own stories of escape from the genocidal war Russia unleashed on Ukraine last year. 

The “We Remember” project was initiated by the Global Network of Holodomor Descendants in cooperation with the Ukrainian World Congress’ World Educational Coordinating Council (WECC) and KONTAKT Next Gen, an independent Ukrainian television station in Canada.

As part of the project, students in grades 8-12 will record interviews with descendants of the Holodomor of 1932-33. The collection of recordings will be professionally edited and compiled. The KONTAKT Next Gen television program may air the interviews this fall as part of the UWC global initiative to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor; the Holodomor Descendants Network will publish the materials on their website. Each student who submits an application will receive a certificate of participation and recognition on the Holodomor Descendants Network website. 

Olya Soroka, the head of the Holodomor Descendants Network, considers this project pivotal: “As the descendants of those who suffered unspeakable horrors at the hands of the totalitarian regime during the Holodomor-Genocide, WE REMEMBER. We remember the stories of our families about their experiences and pass them on to our children, who will pass them on to future generations. We remember that Russia tried to destroy the entire Ukrainian people and steal our history, culture, and religion because they cannot be proud of what they have. We will also remember how Russia is trying to carry out the same genocide today, killing innocent men, women, and children barbarically to destroy the Ukrainian nation. We are delighted to welcome you to our We Remember series. You will hear from third- and fourth-generation Holodomor descendants, some of whom have escaped the current genocide perpetrated by Russia.”

The deadline for applications is July 31, 2023. For more information about the project, please, visit hdn.ukrainianworldcongress.org.

You can also address your suggestions or questions to the Chair of the UWC International Educational Coordinating Council, Oksana Levytska [email protected] or the Chair of the Global Holodomor Descendants Network, Olya Soroka [email protected].