Saskatchewan’s growing Ukrainian community, along with the provincial government, took time Tuesday for a special service commemorating the millions who died during the 1932-33 famine in Ukraine.

The “extermination by hunger” or “Holodomor” was brought on by the then-Soviet Union’s management of agricultural crop production in Ukraine which led to a man-made famine and resulted in the loss of millions of lives through starvation and deprivation. With M-L-A Terry Dennis, the Legislative Secretary responsible for Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations in attendance, the service was held in solidarity with Holodomor Memorial Week. A memorial candle was lit and will remain lit throughout the week to represent unity with those around the world marking the Holodomor genocide.