TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Famine Not Forgotten

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 23, 2008

Church bells tolled, candles flickered under falling snow and national flags, adorned with black ribbons, flew in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev on Saturday as the country marked the anniversary of the start of a Soviet-era famine that killed millions.

But the solemn events were overshadowed by fierce opposition from Russia. The Kremlin is resisting Ukraine's campaign to win international recognition of the 1932-33 tragedy as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian nation, saying other ethnic groups also suffered.

The anniversary of Holodomor - or Death by Hunger as it is known here - is traditionally marked in late November, when the food shortages began.

The famine was orchestrated by dictator Josef Stalin to force peasants to give up their land and join collective farms and Ukraine, known as the breadbasket of the Soviet Union, suffered the most.

The death toll is disputed, but there is no question the tragedy was devastating. Top Ukrainian historian Stanislav Kulchitsky believes 3.5 million perished, while President Viktor Yushchenko says that Holodomor claimed the lives of up to 10 million.

The Associated Press

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT