Uncovering the History of Ukraine's Forgotten Famine

In 1933, a devastating man-made famine claimed millions of lives in Ukraine. Known as the Holodomor, this tragedy was concealed by the Soviet authorities and remained a state secret for almost half a century. The public event Starvation by Design: History and Memory of the Man-Made Famine of 1933 in Ukraine brings together two international experts to examine how the famine unfolded, why it remained hidden for so long and how its memory has evolved over time.

Dr Daria Mattingly, Lecturer in Contemporary History at the University of Chichester, investigates the role of ordinary Soviet activists in carrying out the actions that led to the Holodomor. Dr Karolina Koziura, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto, explores the decades-long international struggle to recognise the famine as a form of political violence. Drawing on historical research and fieldwork in Ukraine, both scholars offer distinct perspectives on the events and their lasting consequences.

Since the opening of the Soviet archives, researchers have gained a deeper understanding of the Holodomor and its historical context. In independent Ukraine, its remembrance has become a central element of national identity. Taking place close to Ukraine's annual Holodomor Memorial Day, the event offers an opportunity to reflect on current research, unresolved historical questions and the continuing significance of this history for Ukrainian society.