Rochdale remembers Ukrainian famine victims

A torch rally was held at the Town Hall on Tuesday (1 July) to mark the 75th anniversary of the death of more than seven million people during an enforced famine in Ukraine.

At 10am on Tuesday morning the torch was handed over by Ukrainian representatives from Bradford, to the Chairman of the Association of Ukrainians at the Rochdale Branch, Walter Duchak, Oksana Paraszczak – who is a survivor of the Holodomor and Anna Kecyk, Chairman of the Rochdale Friends of Lviv (Rochdale’s twin town in Ukraine).

Anna Kecyk said: “We were absolutely delighted that the 75th anniversary of the Holodomor was remembered in Rochdale and that we received the torch of remembrance.

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

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

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Robin Parker, spoke on behalf of the town in remembrance of the people who lost their lives in Ukraine 75 years ago.