Through humor, Ukrainian humorists cope with the war

On October 14, 2023, an unusual event took place in Ukraine’s most prestigious venue “Palace Ukraine” in Kyiv.

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

“I grew up in a village where there are fewer people than the Palace of Ukraine can accommodate,” he said after the concert. “So many people told me, ‘It’s not going to happen…stand-up hasn’t reached that level.’

Now this has happened in large part due to the full-scale invasion of Russia.

The invasion turned many Ukrainians away from previously popular and liberally promoted Russian actions and sparked a renewed interest in Ukrainian culture.

Key Ukrainian humorists say they are now cracking jokes to help the public deal with the grim reality of war, as well as helping the army by raising funds.

“Stand-up is a budget option for psychotherapy,” Anton Tymoshenko tells the BBC.

“I like to relieve social tension with my jokes. When that happens, it’s for the best.”

Another popular performer, Nastya Zukhvala, says the full-scale Russian invasion in February gave a “boost” to stand-up comedy in Ukraine, albeit for darker reasons.

“The demand for comedy now seems quite natural to me because comedy is supportive and unifying.

“It can also make reality less catastrophic. It’s a tool that can help us process this flood of depressing information,” she tells me.

“To remain optimistic or even sane, we have no choice.”

So what jokes make Ukrainians laugh?

This kind of humor is dark, says comedian Anna Kachegura, but making fun of the danger makes it easier to deal with.

“It looks even bleaker from abroad, and it’s understandable why. Anyone who has been to Ukraine knows that there are no safe places here,” she says.

“You never know if this raid will be the last. You don’t know if the Shahed drone will target your home or your family’s home.

“It is natural that all our topics are related to war. Because this is our life now. Stand-up is an honest genre where comedians talk about their own experiences or thoughts,” says Ms Kachehura.

Here is an example – a joke from Anton Tymoshenko’s speech at the Palace of Ukraine:

“I have never worried about a nuclear attack because I know it would mean death for the rich people of Kiev. I live on the outskirts, but nuclear weapons will hit the center. Before the precipitation reaches me, I will have to make two subway transfers. .

“More realistically, I will be killed by Iranian Shahed drones. The saddest part is – have you heard the noise they make? They sound very demotivating, like the cheapest kind of death.”

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

“If we are not allowed to use (Western) missiles against targets in Russia, yes, it is ridiculous, because it is absurd. I rely on this absurd fact and it becomes funny.

“Of course, Ukrainians find it funny.”

Western allies were initially reluctant to allow Ukraine to use its missiles against Russian targets, fearing escalation. But the permission was granted after months of requests from Kiev: the first shorter-range weapon May 2024followed by long-range missiles in November.

There are many pitfalls in joking about war.

Anton Tymoshenko says that he tries not to “lead” his audience and not to increase the trauma from which they may already be suffering.

“Stand-up in wartime is the most difficult kind. It is possible to joke without offending anyone, but it would be like joking in an empty place,” he says.

But usually you can see where the border is, according to Nastya Zukhval:

“I feel what other Ukrainians feel. If I find something sad or tragic, I don’t see the need to turn it into a stand-up.”

There is also a very practical side of stand-up comedy in Ukraine — helping its army.

“Almost all the comedians I know help the armed forces. We are all fundraising (for the Ukrainian army). We hold charity shows, many perform in front of the military,” says Anna Kachagura.

Some, like Nastia Zukhval’s husband Siarhei Lipko, a comedian himself, are in the army.

“Culture, humor or psychology are all fine, but everything should bring practical benefits to the military. When so many missiles are on their way to hit you, you are not so interested in talking only about art,” says Mr. Tymoshenko.

“My main task is to hold concerts to raise funds for them.”

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