Ukrainian comedians deal with war with humor

In the year On October 14, 2023, an unusual event took place in Ukraine’s most famous castle in Kiev.

Anton Tymoshenko became the first Ukrainian comedian to perform there solo.

“I grew up in a village with less people than Pallas Ukraine can hold,” he said after the concert. “So many people told me: This is not going to happen… stand-up comedy is not up to this point.”

It has reached a high level due to the total invasion launched by Russia at the moment.

The invasion turned many Ukrainians away from previously popular and lavishly encouraged Russian practices and renewed interest in Ukrainian culture.

Key Ukrainian comedians say they are now making jokes to help the people cope with the harsh reality of war and raise money for the army.

“Stand-up comedy is the budget version of psychotherapy,” Anton Tymoshenko told the BBC.

“I like to relieve social tension with my jokes. That’s when it’s best.”

Another popular actress, Nastya Zhukvala, called Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February “encouraging” even as it added stand-up comedy for dark reasons.

“The need for humor now seems perfectly natural to me because comedy supports and cooperates.

“It can also make reality seem less dire. It’s a tool that helps us process the overwhelming flow of information,” she tells me.

“We have no choice but to maintain optimism or sanity.”

So what are the jokes that make Ukrainians laugh?

This kind of humor is very sad, says comedian Hana Kochehura, but joking about the danger makes it easier to deal with it.

“It seems darker than abroad, and it’s clear why. Anyone in Ukraine knows that there are no safe places here,” she said.

“You never know if this airstrike will be your last. You never know if a Shaheed drone is going to attack your home or your family’s home.”

“Naturally, all our themes are related to the war. Because it’s our life now. Stand-up comedy is an open genre where comedians talk about their own experiences or thoughts,” said Mrs. Kochehura.

Here’s an example – from Anton Tymoshenko’s joke at Castle Ukraine:

“I never worry about a nuclear attack, because I know that it will cause death to the rich residents of Kiev. I live on the outskirts – but the nukes will hit the central parts. Before the collapse reaches me, it has to make two changes on the metro. .

“Actually, I’m going to be killed by Iranian Shahed drones. The sad thing is – have you heard the screams they make? It sounds so encouraging that they seem like the cheapest death.”

“People laugh at the news,” Anton tells me.

“If we are not allowed to use (Western) missiles against targets in Russia – yes, that is ridiculous because it is absurd. I will build on this absurd fact and it will be ridiculous.”

“Of course, Ukrainians find it funny.”

Western allies began allowing Ukraine to use its missiles against Russian targets, fearing a possible escalation. But the permission was given after months of pleading in Kiev. First, short-range weapons were introduced May 2024Then long-range missiles in November.

Making fun of the war is fraught with many pitfalls.

Anton Tymoshenko said he was trying not to “wake up” his audience or add to the trauma they may already be suffering.

“Stand-up comedy in wartime is the most difficult kind. It’s possible to make a joke without offending anyone, but it’s like joking in a vacuum,” he says.

But according to Nastya Zhukvala, you can see where the line is:

“I feel what other Ukrainians feel, if I find something sad or sad, I don’t see the need to turn it into a sitcom.”

There is a very practical side to the joke in Ukraine – helping the army.

“Almost all the comedians I know have been helping the armed forces. We all participate in fundraising (for the Ukrainian army), we do charity shows and many perform in front of the army,” says Hana Kochehura.

Some of them are in the army, like Nastya Zhukvala’s husband Serhii Lipko, a comedian himself.

“Culture, humor or psychology – that’s all well and good, but everything has to be practical for the military. You don’t want to just talk about art when so many missiles are on the way to hit you,” he says. Mr. Tymoshenko

“My main job is to hold concerts so I can raise money for them.”

He says he has donated more than 30 million hryvnias (£580,000; $710,000) since the start of the full-scale occupation in February 2022.