Before us stands the Holodomor Memorial on Calton Hill in Edinburgh. It serves as a poignant reminder of a tragic chapter in Ukrainian history. This memorial is dedicated to the genocide by forced famine in Ukraine. More than 7 million people died.
The Holodomor, literally meaning “extermination by hunger” was a deliberate campaign. It was a campaign of starvation and violence. The Soviet regime carried it out. The regime’s actions resulted in the death of millions of Ukrainians. This was a man-made catastrophe.
The Scottish Parliament recognizes the Holodomor as a mass murder. It acknowledges it as a crime against the people of Ukraine. The annual Holodomor Memorial Day is on November 25th. This day commemorates all the victims of the Holodomor. It expresses solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
This memorial takes the form of the Eternal Memory memorial stone. It was installed in 2017. The Ukrainian community in Scotland dedicated it. It stands as a testament to the enduring relationship between Ukraine and Scotland.
The 90th anniversary of the Holodomor coincided with Russia’s war against Ukraine. Many believe this war involves a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty. It is seen as an attempt to eradicate Ukraine as a nation-state. It is seen as an attempt to erode Ukrainian identity and culture.
The Holodomor Memorial serves as a place for reflection. It is a place to remember the victims. It is a place to educate future generations about this horrific event. It underscores the importance of standing against tyranny and oppression. The monument stands as a symbol of hope and resilience.
Other Holodomor memorials exist around the world. They are in Canada, Germany, and the United States. Ukraine also has many memorials. These memorials serve as a reminder of the terrible cost of the Holodomor.
As we stand here let’s reflect on the importance of remembering the past. Remembering ensures that such atrocities never happen again. Let’s remember the victims of the Holodomor. Let’s honor their memory by working for a world free from oppression and injustice.
This memorial in Edinburgh is a powerful symbol. It represents the shared grief and the unwavering spirit of the Ukrainian people. It stands as a beacon of hope for a future. A future where such tragedies are confined to the history books.