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Ukrainians mark famine at town hall

30/ 6/2008

A REMEMBRANCE torch rally is coming to the Town Hall tomorrow (Tuesday 1 July).

The rally is being held to mark the 75th anniversary of the death of more than seven million people during an enforced famine in the Ukraine.

A ‘Torch of Remembrance’ is travelling world over through 33 countries, and represents a number of commemorative activities that are being held in 2008 to observe the event known as the ‘Holodomor’ - a famine which was the largest and most secret under Stalin’s regime.

The torch will be handed over by Ukrainian representatives from Bradford to Walter Duchak, the chairman of the Association of Ukrainians at the Rochdale Branch, Oksana Paraszczak - a survivor of the Holodomor and Anna Kecyk, chairman of the Rochdale Friends of Lviv,Rochdale’s twin town in Ukraine.

The Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Robin Parker will also speak on behalf of the borough in remembrance of the people who lost their lives in the Ukraine 75 years ago.

After the Rochdale tributes draw to a close the torch will be taken to mark further commemorations across Greater Manchester on the same day.

Anna Kecyk, the Chair of Rochdale Friends of Lviv, said: “We are absolutely delighted that on the 75th anniversary of the Holodomor that Rochdale will be receiving the torch of remembrance.

“What began in Australia, the torch is half way through its world tour and I hope that as many people from across the Rochdale borough can join us on this poignant occasion, which is part of the ongoing campaign to raise awareness of the Holodomor.”

The commemoration at Rochdale town hall will start at 10am, 1 July 2008.