Lidia M. Wasylyn, UCWLC St. Josaphat Cathedral Branch, Edmonton.
“Red Harvest” is an unexpected and powerful story using the graphic novel genre to tell the tragic truth about the Holodomor. This is a book of historical fiction, but it is based on actual, historical events that are anything but fiction. The characters are fictional (except for blood thirsty Stalin) but each could represent anyone of the nameless victims of the horror of an artificial famine orchestrated by the kremlin in 1932-1933 Ukraine.
The author, Michael Cherkas, is a graphic designer, art director, cartoonist and illustrator with over four decades of experience in his creative literary work. He is a former cartoonist and layout artist with New Pathway and has extensive work with graphic novels—novels in comic strip format. Cherkas is an Oshawa native and grew up in a Ukrainian Canadian family where he learned about the Holodomor early in his life.
As the author shared in a pod-cast interview with True North Country Comics in December 2023, he never thought he would tackle a serious, historical topic such as the Holodomor. Over the years his work with graphic novels involved science fiction and light entertainment about UFO’s, government cover-ups and conspiracy theories. As the author states in his Introduction to the book, “Red Harvest is the polar opposite—a real world tragedy of epic proportions.”
After much consideration, Cherkas decided a graphic novel about the Holodomor would be a valuable tool through which readers could learn about this important and tragic episode in history. His goal was the have his readers know the truth about the Holodomor that had been denied by the kremlin and supported by western journalists like Walter Durante who wrote that there was no famine in Ukraine.
The story begins in rural Ontario. A Ukrainian Canadian family prepares to travel to Ukraine with their elderly father, Mykola Kovalenko, the main character, who is the only member of his family to have survived the Holodomor. In anticipation of his first trip back to Ukraine since he escaped the Holodomor, Mykola’s memories introduce the readers to the life Mykola and his immediate family had before the Holodomor. Readers become witnesses to the systematic destruction of Ukrainian villages, the seizures of livestock, farm implements, seed stock, even household goods. Dictatorial methods and the impact of propaganda and indoctrination are explored. It all culminates in the brutal elimination of the Ukrainian population by the imposition of an artificial famine.
Cherkas thoroughly researched his subject and constructed his story on historical accounts, survivors’ testimonies and videos. In his pod cast interview, Cherkas made an interesting observation. The survivors’ interviews recalled how they survived the famine.
Given that they were children, perhaps five or ten years old during the Holodomor, as young victims they did not initially understand the genocidal goals of the Holodomor. So, witness testimonies speak to the struggles.
The story concludes in today’s Ukraine, with Mykola discovering that his niece, whom he had last seen as a baby, had somehow survived the Holodomor. There is no happy storybook ending to the graphic novel. However, the story ends with feelings of gratitude and hope. It ends with a recognition of what was done to the Ukrainian people, a commitment to never forget, a fulfillment of a promise made long ago and gratitude for surviving and living.
Echoes of the Holodomor can be heard in 2025. Given russia’s ongoing genocidal aggression against the Ukrainian Nation, it is easy to draw parallels between the Holodomor and today’s war. Both the past events and the current war target the Ukrainian population with the intent to annihilate it. “Red Harvest” is timely because it provides knowledge of the history that needs to be known and conveys understanding as to why Ukraine has again been targeted by an aggressive, imperial neighbour.
This book is a valuable addition to the contemporary literature about the Holodomor. It is one more vehicle for ensuring, as Mykola Kovalenko promised, that the Holodomor is not forgotten. An insightful Introduction by the author delivers interesting background about his journey to create “Red Harvest.” This is followed by a helpful two-page glossary of terms, names and concepts that appear in the novel, supporting the story’s authenticity and historical accuracy. “Red Harvest” was published in New York, by NBM (Nantier-Beall-Minoustchine) Graphic Novels, 2023. The book is available on-line through various booksellers.
On September 18, 2025 Edmontonians will have a special opportunity to meet Michael Cherkas, the creator of “Red Harvest” and hear him speak about the novel and his work. This book presentation event in English, is sponsored by the UCWLC Museum, and will take place at St. Josaphat’s Cathedral,10835-98 St., lower level. Doors open at 6:30, with the presentation at 7:00. Books will be available for purchase.
See also: “Red Harvest” by Walter Kish, New Pathway – Ukrainian News, April 18, 2024. https://newpathway.ca/red-harvest/
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