Commemorating the Holodomor victims in Odesa

On 22 November 2025, the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Holodomor and Mass Man-Made Famines, the NGO ‘Community of Change,’ with the support of the Holodomor Museum, held an educational event at the M. Hrushevsky Library (Odesa) to honour the memory of the Holodomor victims.

Mykhailo Shabanov, Associate Professor of the Department of Political Science at the I.I. Mechnykov Odesa National University, PhD, spoke about the social and political preconditions, organisers and consequences of the Holodomor, and the reflections of our people over the years. For the lecturer, it was crucial to draw parallels with the present day, when Russians continue to kill Ukrainians, once again using methods of genocide to destroy our identity.

Those present had the opportunity to hear the memories of residents who witnessed the events of 1932–1933. ‘I came out of death…’ is the title of a collection of letters from the Holodomor eyewitnesses, which was read aloud during the event. This title fully reflects the horror of the crime committed by the communist regime 93 years ago.

At 4 p.m., they lit candles and held a minute of silence to commemorate the millions of Ukrainians, innocently tortured by starvation.

In addition, visitors viewed a photo exhibition and a selection of publications on the Holodomor.

At the end of the event, artist Svitlana Cherkavska organised an interactive activity: she depicted one of the symbols of our independence, the blue and yellow flag, on which everyone could write their wishes for Ukraine.