Stepan Kubiv, a politician and public figure, has passed away

To our deep sorrow, we have learnt that on 18 May, Stepan Ivanovych Kubiv, Member of Parliament, Chairman of the Vasyl Stus All-Ukrainian Human Rights Society ‘Memorial’, member of the Supervisory Board of the International Charitable Foundation of the Holodomor Museum, and a statesman and public figure, passed away. His heart stopped at the age of 65, suddenly and unexpectedly for everyone.

Stepan Kubiv served as a Member of Parliament for several terms and held senior government posts. As a statesman and patriot, he understood the importance of historical memory and national identity. Since 2014, he headed the Vasyl Stus All-Ukrainian Human Rights Society ‘Memorial’, whose work focuses on investigating the crimes of the totalitarian communist regime and perpetuating the memory of its victims. The Holodomor genocide was the most horrific of these.

Recalling Ivan Stepanovych’s life, we first look back to 2016, when the Organising Committee for the preparation of the second phase of the National Museum ‘Holodomor Victims Memorial’ was established. It was headed by the then First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Stepan Kubiv, who, for a long time, was the main driving force behind the idea of completing the second phase of our museum. The creation of this committee was preceded by significant efforts, personally undertaken by Stepan Ivanovych, and his statesmanlike stance during the first phase of the project’s design, construction and financing. Our boundless gratitude comes both from the museum staff and future generations who will visit the Holodomor Museum. We believe that it will certainly be completed.

The Holodomor Museum team is devastated by this irreparable loss. We sincerely condole with Stepan Ivanovych’s family and loved ones and mourn with you.

May the memory of this noble man and patriot live on. Our sympathies go out to Ukraine, which is losing its finest in these difficult times…