Advocacy focus: Key dates in October

These key dates, events, and initiatives in October serve as guideposts for advocacy efforts and should be considered when planning activities, communications, and strategic messaging.

Commemorative dates

• October 1 – Protection of the Holy Virgin (Pokrova); Defenders and Day of Defenders of Ukraine; Day of Ukrainian Cossacks; Veterans Day
• October 2 – 120th birthday of writer and political activist Ivan Bahrianyi (1906–1963)
• October 3 – 140th birthday of designer and costume artist Barbara Karinska (1886–1983), Oscar winner, inventor of the modern ballet tutu
• October 14 – Establishment of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA)
• October 17 – 90th birthday of poet and political figure Ivan Drach (1936–2018)
• October 18 – 150th birthday of literary scholar Serhii Yefremov (1876–1939)
• October 19 – 100th birthday of economist and philanthropist Bohdan Havrylyshyn (1926-2016)
• October 24 – United Nations Day
• October 27 – Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language
• October 28 – Day of Liberation of Ukraine from Nazi Invaders
• October 31 – International Black Sea Day

Events

• October 12-13 – Warsaw Security Forum
• October 30-31 – European Forum of the Ukrainian Diaspora “Augsburg 2026”