400,000 Holodomor survivors living in Ukraine

There are 400,000 elderly people living in Ukraine who survived the Holodomor. According to Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Vasiunyk, in the last two years the authorities in the capital and various Ukrainian regions have achieved a breakthrough in informing the public about the Holodomor and preparing for the national observances of the anniversary of this horrific tragedy.

To date, approximately 200,000 eyewitness testimonies have been collected. A collection of volumes comprising the National Book of Remembrance, including 17 regional books, one Kyiv municipal book, and one all-Ukrainian book, is in the final stages of publication. All the volumes will be printed by late October, and a launch is planned for Nov. 21.

“Today Ukraine has 400,000 senior citizens over the age of 80 who survived the Holodomor. They are eyewitnesses who can recount the events that took place in 1932-1933. On the one hand, the 200,000 eyewitness testimonies that have been collected are sufficient, but on the other, every day in the life of each of these eyewitnesses is priceless to us,” the deputy prime minister said.

Vasiunyk also issued an appeal to researchers to continue gathering testimonies because the National Book of Remembrance will be constantly updated with new data. He emphasized the need for well-planned and coordinated activities by all levels of government in the preparation of commemorative events slated to be held on Nov. 21-22.

The scheduled measures include the unveiling of the first unit of the Holodomor Memorial Complex of Ukraine, a memorial service, a national Minute of Silence, commemorative lessons in all schools, and the broadcasting of TV documentaries. A few months ago it was reported that the Security Service of Ukraine published a list of individuals who were involved in organizing and carrying out the Holodomor in Ukraine in 1932-1933 as well as the repressions in the late 1930s.