According to the research results of the Ptukha Institute of demography and social studies, 3 million 530 thousand people died from Holodomor in 1933. In 1932, 250 thousand died from starvation, and in 1934 – about 160 thousand. Overall, in three years – 3.9 million died, and 0.6 million more of the unborn, or, as they are also referred to, “indirect losses.” I.e., overall 4.5 million Ukrainians were lost due to the Holodomor of 1932-1933.

Throughout decades, the topic of the Holodomor was tabooed. In Soviet times, the communist crime was hushed up. Only on 28 November 2006, Ukraine’s parliament recognized the Holodomor as genocide. Many other governments did the same.

Genocide refers to intentional actions aimed at the total or partial destruction of particular groups of the population or entire nations based on national, ethnic, racial, religious or religious motives. Examples of genocides include the Holocaust, the Armenian Genocide in Turkey (1915-1923), the genocide in Rwanda (1994), the genocide in Srebrenica (1995).

One of the coauthors of the legal definition of genocide, Rafael Lemkin, considered Holodomor a classical example of a Soviet genocide, the longest and widest attempt to Russify and destroy the Ukrainian nation. 

Our goal is like UNESCO’s “building peace in the minds of men” by promoting tolerance, understanding and dialogue between nations, as well as its impact on global educational policies and practices, it seems advisable that the knowledge about the tragedy of Holodomor be disseminated through UNESCO’s framework to ensure that the lessons of this tragic page are inculcated in young generations States that recognized Holodomor as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people. 

 

Lyngdal Municipality was the first public body to erect a memorial in honor of the Ukrainian soldiers who fell in Norway during World War II.

Now Lyngdal municipality is also leading the way in the knowledge and recognition that the Holodomor genocide is historical fact and not least a tragedy for the Ukrainian people. Mayor Jan Kristensen signed and handed over a statement about the Holodomor to Dr. Liliia Honcharevych, Charge'd affair at the Ukrainian Embassy in Norway as part of the commemoration in Lyngdal on 3 December 2022.

On 3 December 2022, The Lyngdal community solemnly honors and pays tribute to the millions of innocent Ukrainians who suffered and perished during the Holodomor - "death by starvation" - in 1932 and 1933.

Men, women and children who lost their lives during this famine were victims of the brutal policies and deliberate actions of Joseph Stalin's regime. As we remember those whose lives were taken, let us also commit ourselves to the constant work of preventing such tragedies in the future and lifting up those who suffer under the yoke of tyranny today.

The Ukrainian people overcame the horrors of the Holodomor, demonstrated their courage and resilience, and ultimately created a free and democratic society. While we remember the pain and victims of the Holodomor, Lyngdal municipality also confirms our commitment to the people of Ukraine today and our unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We condemn the brutal attack by Russia.

Lyngdal municipality is also in the process of recognizing the Holodomor as genocide. The committee for culture and co-creation dealt with the "Recognition of the Holodomor as genocide" in its meeting on 23 November with the following decision:

"The committee for culture and co-creation takes a positive view of the request from Support to the people of Ukraine to recognize the Holodomor as genocide, and requests that the matter be presented to the municipal council."

Lyngdal municipal council will consider the matter on 15 December 2022.

Lyngdal, 3 December 2022

Jan Kristensen

Mayor of Lyngdal municipality