Defenders of Ukraine Day speech template (Ukraine)
Published 10 October 2026 · Date checked on 5 October 2026 · Written by the Cue Card Converter team at EventProgrammer, event production professionals
Defenders of Ukraine Day is marked on 1 October, the date it has been held since 2023. It honours the women and men who defend Ukraine, and in Ukrainian its name refers to both male and female defenders. It is a day to thank those who serve in the country's armed forces and other defence services, as well as veterans and their families. Communities hold ceremonies at memorials, concerts and gatherings of thanks, and flowers are laid in memory of those who have died.
- Date
- October 1
- Next dates
- Friday 1 October 2027
Sunday 1 October 2028
Monday 1 October 2029 - Country
- Ukraine
- Tone
- Appreciative – thanks and tribute
- Typical events
- Ukrainian embassies and community centres, veterans' associations, schools, municipal ceremonies at memorials and workplace gatherings honouring colleagues who serve, on or around 1 October.
- Length
- 179 spoken words · about 1.5 min at 130 words a minute · 4 cue cards
The Defenders of Ukraine Day speech, ready as cue cards
A complete host script in 4 cards, about 1.5 minutes of speaking. Open it in the editor to add your names, change the card size or highlights, and print.
- WELCOME AND THANK YOU1 / 4
Good afternoon. I'm {Your name}, and on behalf of {Organisation} welcome to this gathering for Defenders of Ukraine Day. Before anything else, I want to say thank you to the defenders, veterans and families who are with us today. This day is yours. - WHOM WE HONOUR2 / 4
On 1 October, Ukraine honours the women and men who defend it. Some serve in uniform. Others stand behind them as parents, partners, children, medics and volunteers. Their service is measured in long days, time away from home and quiet courage. Today our community says, simply and sincerely, thank you. - WORDS OF THANKS3 / 4
I now invite {Guest of honour} to present flowers and letters of thanks on behalf of all of us. As each name is called, please come forward.
[PRESENTATION OF FLOWERS – APPLAUSE]
Thank you. Your presence here reminds every one of us what this day is about. - A MOMENT OF SILENCE4 / 4
Please stand. Let us remember, in silence, the defenders of every generation who gave their lives and are no longer with us.
[ONE MINUTE OF SILENCE]
Thank you. Please be seated. To every defender and every family: we are grateful, today and every day. Thank you for coming.
Red is used only for names, titles, organisations, dates, times and section headings. Replace the words in {curly brackets} with your own details; lines in [SQUARE BRACKETS] are stage directions and are not read aloud.
How to adapt it
- Since 2023 the day has been marked on 1 October. Older calendars and websites may still show a different date, so check before printing invitations or programmes.
- Ask defenders and veterans in advance whether they wish to be named or invited forward. Some prefer not to be singled out, and their wishes should always come first.
- Keep the programme appreciative and ceremonial. Avoid political statements and slogans, and agree any words of remembrance with veterans' or community representatives beforehand.
- Families of those who serve are part of this day. Reserve seats for them near the front, and include them in the thanks by name if they agree.
Print and rehearse
“Edit and print these cards” opens the script in the free cue card maker, where you can choose A5, 4 × 6 or 3 × 5 inch cards, print several per sheet with cut lines or export PDF, PowerPoint and Word, and rehearse full screen in practice mode. To write your own programme around it, see how to write an MC script and the run of show template.
Sources
Date and background checked on 5 October 2026 against: Address by the President on the Occasion of the Day of Defenders of Ukraine — Official website of the President of Ukraine. Customs vary between organisations and regions; always follow the official programme of your event.
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