Speaker on famine of 1946–1947: One of most painful tragedies in history

The organized famine of 1946–1947 is one of the most painful tragedies in our history. During those months of horror, tens of thousands of people were left without bread, without hope, and humiliated by the Soviet regime. The message was delivered today by Speaker Igor Grosu as the Day of Remembrance of Victims of this tragedy is marked.

According to the official, the organized famine of 1946–1947 was a tragedy caused by a criminal regime for which human life had no value.

“It is a living wound in our memory. In each of our families there is a story told in whispers: about hunger and about survival. We are talking about parents, grandparents or great‑grandparents who endured more than we can understand. Today we commemorate all those who suffered and we reaffirm our responsibility not to forget. Because memory is not only about the past, but also a guide for the present and the future. Let us keep alive the memory of those who were killed without guilt,” Igor Grosu said.

The victims of one of the most tragic chapters in the history of our nation – the organized famine of 1946–1947 – are commemorated annually on the third Saturday of April. It was one of the greatest humanitarian catastrophes to strike the territory of today’s Republic of Moldova in the 20th century.

According to data provided by the National Archives Agency, in just a few months more than 123,000 people died of hunger, representing about 5% of the population of the Moldavian SSR. Proportionally, Soviet Moldova was the most affected region in the entire Soviet Union, with a mortality rate ten times higher than in Russia and five times higher than in Ukraine.

Throughout April, several commemorative events dedicated to the remembrance of the victims of the organized famine of 1946–1947 are taking place in the Republic of Moldova. The program includes photography exhibitions, documentary film screenings, workshops and themed lessons designed to inform the public about this historical event and to help preserve collective memory. The commemorative actions will be held across the entire country and can be viewed online on the official websites of the competent institutions. The National Archives Agency is also presenting an online exhibition about this tragedy.