The Holodomor was a man-made famine, not a natural disaster. It has been recognised by at least 32 countries as a genocide. The United Kingdom parliament recognised it as a genocide in 2023. The famine followed forced collectivisation of farms and removal of grain by force. Stalin demanded more grain from Ukraine despite a smaller harvest. Communist cadres conducted house-to-house searches using long rods with metal hooks at the end to probe for food in every corner of each house. It was an extraordinary and awful event in 20th century history. It sheds light on the real character of Stalin’s regime.
Please note that this essay prize is different from some others. There is no set question.
We are looking for readable essays which should certainly include a full and clear description of the famine itself and how it came about. Beyond that, there is a lot of freedom for the writer. You might opt to include some of the stories related to the leadership or to the experience of famine on the ground. We are definitely looking for your own personal observations and reflections on the famine.
There is no requirement to reference sources, but we recommend that you add five to ten endnotes particularly if you refer to a little-known fact or a controversial line of argument.
Essays should be 1,800 to 2,000 words.
UK prize
First prize: £1,500.
Second prize: £700.
Third prize: £500.
Highly commended: £100
The top prizes will be divided equally between the student and the school. Four to six essays will be highly commended and all the money will go to the students. Another five to seven entries will be commended and receive a certificate.
The essay competition would suit students who want to improve their personal statements in their UCAS forms. It is open to students who will be in year 12 or 13 in the academic year 2025-26. They must be resident in the United Kingdom.
International prize
Students resident outside the UK are eligible for the international prize. The best essay will receive a prize of £250. Other overseas essays may be highly commended or commended according to merit.
Deadline and awards ceremony
The deadline for entries is noon on Sunday, 25th January, 2026. Each candidate must only submit one entry but there is no limit to the number of entries from any school. There is no fee to enter. See more terms and conditions.
The prizes will be awarded in a ceremony at a prestigious central London location.
Any queries should be emailed to contact@historyoftotalitarianism.com.
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