The event started with a common prayer for Ukraine by priests of Ukrainian churches. Then Ambassador of Ukraine to the US Valeriy Chaly, Chairman of the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor Genocide Awareness 1932-1933 Michael Sawkiw, Head of the Central Election Commission Mykhailo Okhendovsky, deputy head of the Central Election Commission Andriy Magera, MPs of Ukraine Arthur Gerasymov and Igor Popov, architect Larysa Kurylas, other distinguished guests, laid symbolic bundles of wheat to the Memorial.
Ambassador Valeriy Chaly, on behalf of the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and his wife Marina, congratulated audience on the anniversary of the Memorial and conveyed President's words of gratitude to the Ukrainian diaspora of the USA and all those who made efforts into its construction: " A year ago, due to the joint efforts of American partners, the Ukrainian community in America and the Ukrainian state, the Memorial was opened in Washington in order to become another evidence of the fact that our nation cannot be overcome by any troubles, any malicious intentions of foes, for Ukrainians strive for truth, freedom, democracy and peace on their land and in their country".
Chairman of the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor Genocide Awareness 1932-33 Michael Sawkiw and Ambassador William Miller also delivered their welcome remarks. 
The event ended by a performance of Kyiv Chamber Choir.