Ukrainian comedians cope with war through humour

On October 14, 2023, an unusual event took place at the most famous place in Ukraine, Palace Ukraine in Kyiv.

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

“I grew up in a village with fewer people than Palace Ukraine can hold,” he said after the concert. “A lot of people said to me: ‘It’s not going to happen… stand-up comedy has never reached that level.’

Currently, to a large extent due to the large-scale attack launched by Russia.

The invasion turned many Ukrainians away from the once popular and influential Russian culture and sparked interest in Ukrainian culture.

Ukrainian comedians say they are now making jokes to help people deal with the war crisis and to help the military raise money.

“Standing-face is a kind of mental medicine,” Anton Tymoshenko told the BBC.

“I like to break the tension between people with my jokes. When that happens, it’s the best thing.”

Another popular actress, Nastya Zukhvala, says that Russia’s mass invasion in February gave Ukrainian stand-up comedians a “motivation,” albeit for darker reasons.

“The need to be funny seems natural to me now because humor helps and connects.

“It can also make reality seem more dangerous. It’s a tool that can help us process these disturbing messages,” he tells me.

“To stay hopeful or wise, we have no other choice.”

So what jokes are making Ukrainians laugh?

This kind of laughter is bad, says comedian Hanna Kochehura, but laughing at the danger makes it easier to bear.

“It looks very dark from the outside, and it’s clear why. Anyone who is in Ukraine knows that there is no safe place here,” he says.

“You don’t know if this attack will be the last. You don’t know if Shahed’s drone will target your house or your family’s house.

“Naturally, all our topics are related to war. Because it is our life now. Stand-up comedy is a static genre where artists talk about their experiences or their thoughts,” says Ms Kochehura.

Here is an example – a joke from Anton Tymoshenko at the Palace Ukraine:

“I didn’t worry about a nuclear attack because I know it would mean death for the rich people of Kyiv. I live outside – but the nukes will hit the central part. Before the fall reaches me, it should change two on the metro. .

“Of course, I will be killed by Iranian Shahed drones. The sad thing is – did you hear the noise they make? They sound very offensive, like a very cheap death.”

“People can laugh at stories,” Anton tells me.

“If we are not allowed to use it [Western] Russian missiles – yes, it’s funny because it’s absurd. I build on this absurd truth, and it’s funny.

“Of course, Ukrainians find it funny.”

The Western allies initially did not want to allow Ukraine to use their missiles against Russia’s interests for fear of escalation. But the permission was granted after several months of pleading with Kyiv: the first short weapons May 2024and then long range arrows in November.

There are many reasons for making fun of war.

Anton Tymoshenko says he is trying not to “trigger” his audience or add to the stress they may already be suffering.

“Stand-up comedy in wartime is very difficult. To do comedy without offending anyone is possible, but it can be like laughing at nothing,” he says.

But, it is often possible to see where the line is according to Nastya Zukhvala:

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

There is also a very useful side of standing jokes in Ukraine – to support its soldiers.

“Almost every comedian I know has been supporting the military. We’re all involved in fundraising. [for the Ukrainian army]. We have charity demonstrations and many of them are in front of the soldiers,” says Hanna Kochehura.

Others, like Serhiy Lipko, Nastya Zukhvala’s husband, is an actor, in the military.

“Culture, humor or psychology – everything is good and good, but everything must be useful to the soldiers. When many missiles are on the way to hit you, you are not interested in talking about the skills alone,” he says. Mr Tymoshenko.

“My main job is to host concerts to raise money for them.”

He is said to have donated more than 30m hryvnyas (£580,000; $710,000) since the beginning of the general strike in February 2022.