PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Ninety years ago, an estimated 3-5 million Ukrainians died as Joseph Stalin’s Soviet regime withheld food for a year, from 1932-1933.
Referred to as Holodomor, it was part of the broader Soviet famine from 1930 to 1933.
Eugene Luciw, president of the Philadelphia Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, says these acts are currently being reflected in Russia’s war with Ukraine.
“It's a mission to destroy a nation,” Luciw said. “The intent is identical: destroy, occupy, create an empire, colonize. It's all an active colonization.”
Luciw says it’s important to remember and teach others about these tragic events, which is why, on Sunday, the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center in Jenkintown will host an event to commemorate Holodomor.
“Through touch, smell and prayer, it’s going to evoke the emotions of the moment and give us sort of a feel for the loss of these people and their suffering,” Luciw said.
“We need to see that if we don't deter, if we don't contain evil, it will erupt and threaten us and eventually threaten our allies and ultimately, even us directly.”
Starting at 3 p.m., attendees will be able to participate in a food drive, enjoy a concert, art displays, and a documentary called “When We Starve.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro has also issued a proclamation that will be presented next week, recognizing November as “Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Remembrance Month.”