Competition
The Holodomor Essay Competition 2025-26
Author:
Michelangelo Dealberti
Location
Online
Target Audience
Students in Year 12 or 13 (sixth form students) for the UK prize, resident in the UK; international students outside the UK are also eligible for the international prize.
Application Deadline
Jan 25, 2026
Description
The Holodomor Essay Competition invites sixth form students to submit a historical essay on the Holodomor, the man-made famine in Ukraine during 1932-33, recognized as a genocide by at least 32 countries. Essays should provide a clear description of the famine and its causes, with freedom to include personal observations, reflections, and related historical context. Essays must be between 1,800 and 2,000 words. There is no set question, but submissions should be readable and insightful. The competition aims to deepen understanding of this tragic event and its historical significance. Prizes are awarded to top essays, with monetary awards split between students and their schools for UK entrants, and separate prizes for international students.
Reasons to participate
Gain recognition for historical research and writing skills
Enhance personal statements for university applications (e.g., UCAS)
Contribute to raising awareness about a significant but often overlooked genocide
Opportunity to win substantial cash prizes and attend an awards ceremony in central London
Engage deeply with a critical historical event with contemporary relevance