On April 26, 1986, a reactor at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant near Prypiat exploded and melted down. The impact of the Chornobyl disaster is still being felt today, with adverse effects on the health of many people. Estimates on the numbers of indirect deaths as a result of the Chornobyl disaster vary from the thousands to the tens of thousands. Ukraine continues to cope with long-term health, environmental and economic consequences resulting from this disaster. Canada remembers this tragedy.
“Three decades after Chornobyl, the people of Ukraine continue to suffer from its effects. We must never forget this terrible tragedy, which changed Ukraine and the world forever,” stated Paul Grod, National President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. “We gather in our communities to grieve for the victims, and to pray for all those that suffered and continue to suffer the aftermath of this awful disaster.”
Vigils, services and solemn commemorative events of this terrible tragedy are being held in communities across Canada:
Montréal
– Church Service, Tuesday, April 26, 6:30pm, Basilique Marie-Reine-du-Monde Cathédrale
Ottawa
– Panakhyda April 26, 2016 7PM Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 1000 Byron Ave.
Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 1000 Byron Ave.
Toronto
-Friday April 22, 7:30pm-9:30pm St. Vladimir Institute. “Echoes of Chornobyl: 30 Years Later”
Please see our reportage photos and video from this event below.
Jose Etcheverry Ph.D.
Public at the St. Vladimir Institute
Bozena Hrycyna introduces a speaker.
Performers at the event on April 22.
Toronto (cont.)
-Chernobyl: Conversations and Children – 30 Years Later, Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham St, Toronto. Hosted by Ontario Clean Air Alliance – OCAA
St. Catharines
Prayer Service, Tuesday April 26 at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Church, 6PM
London
-Panakhyda Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church 151 King Edward Avenue – 28 April, 11:30 am.
Christ The King Ukrainian Catholic Church 707 Nelson Ave.- 24 April, 10:30 am
Winnipeg
– Photo Exhibition opening April 17 – Exclusion Zone at Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre
– “Chornobyl: 30 Years Later”
Commemorative Prayer and Film Presentation Tuesday, April 26th, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Institute Prosvita, 777 Pritchard Avenue
Saskatoon
-The Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Saskatoon is entitled Chornobyl: 30 Years Later featuring the artwork of Kathy Nicholaichuk, Toronto. The exhibition opened March 1 and will be on display until April 30.
Edmonton
-ЧОРНОБИЛЬ 1986 – 2016. Remembering Chornobyl Catastrophe: 30 years since the Chornobyl nuclear power plant’s explosion caused the biggest environmental disaster of the 20th century. Tuesday, April 26, 2016, 19:00.
Join our community for a commemorative gathering near the Chornobyl catastrophe commemorative plaque at William Hawrelak Park in Edmonton.
Calgary
-On April 26th, 7pm at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church 704 Sixth Street NE a Holy Liturgy will be held to pray for those still suffering from the devastation of the disaster of Chornobyl, with a Panakhyda to follow for those who lost their lives during this nuclear catastrophe.
-St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Congregation 404 Meredith Road NE will commemorate the Chornobyl tragedy during the Holy Thursday Liturgy on April 28th.