Heroes' Day speech template (Indonesia)
Published 10 October 2026 · Date checked on 5 October 2026 · Written by the Cue Card Converter team at EventProgrammer, event production professionals
Heroes' Day, Hari Pahlawan, is observed in Indonesia on 10 November. It honours the heroes of the struggle for independence and recalls the Battle of Surabaya, which began on 10 November 1945, when the people of the city fought to defend the newly proclaimed independence. It is not a public holiday. Ceremonies are held at heroes' cemeteries across the country, where flowers are scattered on graves, and new National Heroes are usually named around this date. Surabaya is known as the City of Heroes.
- Date
- November 10
- Next dates
- Tuesday 10 November 2026
Wednesday 10 November 2027
Friday 10 November 2028 - Country
- Indonesia
- Tone
- Solemn – remembrance
- Typical events
- Ceremonies at heroes' cemeteries and monuments, school and office flag ceremonies, veterans' groups, and Indonesian embassies and communities abroad on 10 November.
- Length
- 186 spoken words · about 1.5 min at 130 words a minute · 5 cue cards
The Heroes' Day speech, ready as cue cards
A complete host script in 5 cards, about 1.5 minutes of speaking. Open it in the editor to add your names, change the card size or highlights, and print.
- WE HONOUR OUR HEROES1 / 5
Good morning. My name is {Your name}, and on behalf of {Organisation} thank you for gathering with us on Hari Pahlawan. Today we remember the men and women who gave their lives so that Indonesia could stand as a free nation. - THE BATTLE OF SURABAYA2 / 5
On 10 November 1945, heavy fighting began in Surabaya. Young fighters, soldiers and ordinary residents defended their city for weeks against far stronger forces, and many lost their lives. Their stand showed how deeply people believed in the independence proclaimed only months before. - WE BOW OUR HEADS3 / 5
Please stand. Let us bow our heads and remember the heroes of Surabaya and all who fell in the struggle for independence.
[MENGHENINGKAN CIPTA – ONE MINUTE]
Thank you. Please remain standing. - SCATTERING FLOWERS4 / 5
I now invite {Representative} to lay a wreath and scatter flowers, as families do today at heroes' cemeteries across the country. Anyone who wishes may follow.
[WREATH LAYING AND TABUR BUNGA]
Please return to your seats when you are ready. - CLOSING5 / 5
The heroes we remember today did not ask for the title. They answered when they were needed. We honour them best by caring for one another and for the country they defended. Thank you for being here. Please go quietly.
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
- Each year the Ministry of Social Affairs publishes guidelines and an official theme for Heroes' Day, often including a national moment of silence at a set morning time. Check them and align your programme.
- Tabur bunga, scattering flower petals on graves, is the familiar gesture of this day. Prepare petals in small baskets, and ask guests to wear sober, formal clothing.
- At international events, guests may come from countries whose forces fought in Surabaya in 1945. Focus on the courage and sacrifice of Indonesia's heroes rather than on former enemies, and avoid current politics.
- For school audiences, a short reading about a National Hero from your region can follow the flowers. Keep the tone reflective rather than triumphant, and end without applause.
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: PEDOMAN PELAKSANAAN. Customs vary between organisations and regions; always follow the official programme of your event.
More Indonesia speech templates
- Independence Day · August 17