On 22 November, Ukraine and the world commemorate the millions of Ukrainians killed by the artificial famine deliberately organized by the communist totalitarian regime in 1932–1933. The Holodomor became one of the greatest crimes of the 20th century – a crime of genocide, a targeted attempt to destroy Ukrainians as a nation.

The Soviet authorities acted consciously: forced grain procurements, total seizure of all food supplies, blockades of entire villages, a ban on leaving the territories affected by famine, and repressions against those who tried to survive or tell the truth. The state rejected international humanitarian aid while simultaneously exporting grain abroad – millions died so that terror would become an instrument of subjugation.

Ukrainian villages – the foundation of national culture and identity – suffered the greatest losses. In some districts, half of the population perished. Especially terrible was the mortality among children – a generation that was not allowed to grow up and live in its own country. The Holodomor inflicted a wound on the Ukrainian nation that we still feel today.

For decades, the Soviet regime concealed the truth: it forbade recording death statistics, destroyed documents, and persecuted witnesses. Yet the world learned the truth thanks to journalists, researchers, the Ukrainian diaspora, and all those who refused to accept silence. Today, the Holodomor is recognized as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people in more than 30 countries and several international organizations.

Today, as Ukrainians once again fight for freedom and the very right to life, the memory of the Holodomor takes on new meaning. Contemporary Russian aggression uses the same instruments – terror, blockades, deportations, strikes on civilians, and attempts to destroy Ukrainian identity. As then, Ukrainians stand and defend their state, culture, language, and future.

At 16:00 Kyiv time, we will unite in a nationwide minute of silence.
And as darkness falls, we will light a candle of remembrance – at home, in the office, in the window, wherever we may be. Each flame is a voice that says: we remember. We will not allow this crime to be repeated.

Wherever you are – light a Candle of Remembrance.