Ukrainians worldwide to mark Defenders Day with solidarity events on Oct. 1

Ukrainian communities around the world will mark the Feast of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin and Ukraine’s Defenders Day on Oct. 1. 

Planned events include solidarity events, symbolic ceremonies, memorial evenings, and cultural activities to support Ukrainian troops and honor those who have sacrificed their lives for freedom.

A commemorative event will take place on Oct. 4 in Edmonton, Canada, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) in Alberta announced.

“We invite the community to join us in honoring our heroes and heroines who have fought and continue to fight for Ukraine’s freedom,” the organizers said.

An event is planned in Winnipeg on Oct. 5, an autumn fair to mark Ukraine’s Defenders Day, the UCC Manitoba announced.

The Ukrainian community in the Finnish capital of Helsinki will hold a demonstration on Oct. 1 to honor the brave men and women “who risk their lives every day, defending not only Ukraine but all of Europe from Russian aggression.”

The Ukrainians in the southern Finnish city of Tampere invite the public to a warm gathering to commemorate the holiday. The program includes a screening of a documentary film followed by a discussion.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with veterans who are currently in Tampere, to thank them for their courage and dedication, and share meaningful moments in an atmosphere of mutual support,” the organizers said.

On this day, the community will also honor the memory of fallen defenders. Volunteers will lay flowers and light candles at the grave of Kasper Alhoniemi, a Finnish volunteer who fought for Ukraine, and at the monument to unknown soldiers.

The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) announced an Evening of Glory, Remembrance, and Tribute to Ukraine’s defenders of all generations, which will take place on Oct. 4 in London.

Jaroszlava Hartyányi, President of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations (WFUWO) and Second Vice President of the UWC, invites the public to a meeting with a servicemember, paramedic, volunteer, and author of the poetry collection “Alive,” Yuliia Paievska, on Oct. 2.

“For all of us, this will be an important opportunity to hear the voice of someone who endured the hell of Mariupol and enemy captivity, yet remained unbroken,” the organizers said.

In France, a wreath-laying ceremony is planned on Oct. 1 under the Arc de Triomphe to honor thousands of Ukraine’s defenders.

In Zagreb, Croatia, on Oct. 1, the fountains on the Croatian Fraternal Community Street will be illuminated with Ukrainian symbols and messages of support and solidarity for the Ukrainian people and Ukraine’s defenders, the city’s Ukrainian community reported.

The Ukrainian community in Norway is organizing a demonstration in honor of Ukraine’s Defenders Day in front of the Norwegian Parliament on Oct. 1, the community said.

“Since 2014, Ukrainian defenders have heroically resisted Russian aggression in Ukraine. Ukraine’s resilience and even growth in strength has been possible thanks to support from around the world, including from Norway,” the organizers said.

The demonstration will honor Ukraine’s defenders and also condemn Russian war crimes, terror, and the genocide of the Ukrainian people, they said.

Ukrainians in Latvia will hold a moment of silence on Oct. 1 to honor defenders who have died in the war, lay flowers, and perform the Ukrainian national anthem along with patriotic songs, the Ukrainian House in Latvia announced.

Ukrainians in Lebanon invite everyone to the traditional annual picnic on Oct. 5. “This year it is dedicated to Ukraine’s Defenders Day and the Feast of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin,” the Ukrainian Community in Lebanon announced.

The Ukrainian Community in the UAE will join in honoring Ukraine’s Defenders Day, Ukrainian Cossacks Day, Veterans Day, and the Feast of the Intercession in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 4.

The Ukrainian Association of South Africa is organizing a book club meeting on Oct. 4. The session will explore how Ukrainian literature reflects the heroism of Ukraine’s defenders from historical times to the present.