OLDS — A Ukrainian-born Olds resident sparked a standing ovation when she spoke passionately against the war in her homeland during a fundraiser at École Olds High School (ÉOHS) Thursday night.
Alla Larionova, who moved to Olds in 2008, was the guest speaker during Perogies for Peace, a fundraiser for Ukraine organized by ÉOHS leadership students with help from volunteers and local businesses.
The event, held in the ÉOHS Commons, attracted hundreds of people who partook in a meal: perogies, sausages, salad and dessert during two sittings. Takeout meals were also made available. Many people bought raffle tickets.
The amount of money raised was not available at press time.
During a speech, Larionova said she has cried many times since the Russian invasion of her homeland began on Feb. 24.
She said she checks multiple websites many times each day to obtain the latest news and determine if family and friends are safe.
Larionova said she’s tried many times to persuade her parents to leave, but they won’t budge.
“My dad answers, ‘this is my house and I’m not leaving,’” she said.
More than 4 million people – mostly women, children and the elderly – have fled Ukraine to nearby countries while many husbands, sons and fathers have stayed behind to fight.
It's estimated that about 10 million people, a quarter of the Ukrainian population, have been displaced by the war.
Larionova noted this is not the first time Ukraine has suffered at the hands of Russia.
She recalled that in the 1930s, Russian dictator Josef Stalin instigated the Holodomor (Ukrainian for “man-made starvation”) which affected about 3.9 million Ukrainians.
Some scholars say its purpose was to force farmers into collective farms against their will. Others say it was done to quell a Ukrainian independence movement.
Larionova said there was great joy among Ukrainians in 1991 when they obtained independence.
“Ukrainian people have had enough of Russia,” Larionova said. “We will fight for our land, our independence and our freedom.”
“Everyone is united like never before. And I want to thank Canadian people – many of you with Ukrainian backgrounds – who are being united with us,” she concluded, sparking a standing ovation.
Student leadership advisor Louan Statchuk addressed the crowd, thanking them for attending and contributing to the fundraising effort. She also thanked the many volunteers who organized the event, made perogies and helped out in other ways.
"This community is so proud of them,” Statchuk said with great emotion.
Statchuk noted that the idea for the event came out of the Change Café, a gathering of student and community leaders held at ÉOHS in early March.
