During a special service at the Legislative Building on Tuesday, November 18, Provincial Secretary Jamie Martens and members of the legislative assembly joined with members of the province’s Ukrainian community to commemorate the millions who died during the 1932-33 famine in Ukraine.
“More than nine decades have passed, yet the memory of Holodomor remains etched in the soul of Ukrainian people,” Martens said. “Across Saskatchewan, and around the world, Ukrainian descendants and members of the wider public come together to commemorate Holodomor, honouring the millions who suffered and perished during one of history’s darkest chapters.”
The word Holodomor means “extermination by hunger” in Ukrainian. A commemorative service was held in solidarity with Holodomor Memorial Week. A memorial candle was lit and will burn throughout the week, symbolizing unity with those around the world who are honouring the victims of the Holodomor genocide.
Between 1932 and 1933, the man-made famine engineered by the Soviet government led to the deaths of millions of Ukrainians through starvation and deprivation. Authorities seized crops and imposed travel restrictions, preventing people from leaving their communities in search of food.
A replica of the statue titled Bitter Memories of Childhood, created by sculptor Preto Drozdowsky, was unveiled in Wascana Centre in 2015. The bronze figure depicts a young, starving peasant girl clutching a sheaf of wheat. The original statue stands at the National Museum of the Holodomor Genocide in Kyiv, Ukraine.
The Saskatchewan monument is located southeast of the Legislative Building on Lakeshore Drive, serving as a permanent tribute to the victims of this famine.
On February 24, 2025, the Provincial Capital Commission announced $50,000 in funding towards restoration of the Holodomor monument site. In consultation with members of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress’ Holodomor Construction Committee, this investment has gone towards reconstruction of the monument’s retaining wall which will ensure that patrons can safely observe the monument for years to come. This restoration is accompanied by the construction of a new sidewalk through the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement to improve accessibility to the site. This work has now been completed.
Saskatchewan became the first jurisdiction in North America to formally recognize this genocide with the passing of The Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act in 2008.
International Holodomor Day is recognized on the fourth Saturday of November and, this year, falls on November 22, 2025.