Celebrating Father's Day in Ukraine: New Traditions and Values
June 15 — Father's Day in Ukraine
This holiday is relatively new for Ukraine. Various organizations have been pushing for its official recognition since 2006. The initiative gained traction, and documents were submitted for a legislative bill. However, in 2008, citing economic difficulties, this legislative effort was halted. Despite being unofficial for a period, Ukrainians eagerly embraced the idea of celebrating Father's Day and have been organizing themed events for many years.
Initially, it was proposed to celebrate Father's Day on the third Sunday in September. However, after researching the holiday's history, it was decided to recognize it on the third Sunday in June. It wasn't until 2019 that then-President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree recognizing this holiday officially. Since then, Father's Day has become a national holiday in Ukraine.
Unlike Father's Day, Mother's Day in Ukraine has a longer history of official recognition. It is traditionally celebrated on the second Sunday in May. This date aligns with many countries worldwide that honor mothers. Mother's Day was officially established in Ukraine by a presidential decree in 1999.
Father's Day in Ukraine in 2025
Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, many things have changed. In the context of widespread war, most communities do not hold large celebrations, and families try to spend more time together.
However, we must not forget the importance of this holiday. Of course, it all depends on the circumstances of each family. Some have evacuated their children to safety, some have gone to fight, some are injured and need support, while others have lost their lives in the war, becoming heroes for their children.
Father's Day during wartime becomes even more significant, reminding us of family values. On this day, even at a distance, take a moment to greet your father. If he is defending Ukraine and you cannot reach him, a child can draw a picture or record a video, which an adult can then send to the father. If, unfortunately, the father has passed away, you can visit his grave, lay flowers, and share a touching story about him with the child.
It is hard to be away from loved ones, but our heroes chose to defend the country so that their children could live in a free Ukraine. They demonstrate by their example what honor, courage, and strength truly mean.
We must always remember that being a father and a mother is a great responsibility. A child needs to know that their father loves them. It’s like having two legs, two important supports in life: dad and mom. If one parent is missing, the child might struggle throughout life, seeking what was lacking from their father or mother.
Father's Day is not solely about biological fatherhood but also about men who take on the role of the absent father for various reasons. It’s about those important figures who have influenced our lives, contributing significantly to our upbringing and development as individuals. These can be grandfathers, brothers, uncles, or others who took responsibility for our upbringing.
On June 15, reach out to the important people in your life to wish them a Happy Father's Day. It could be a phone call for a few minutes or a coffee meeting. The main thing is to let them know how much they mean to you.
