Ukrainian comedians deal with war through humor

On October 14, 2023, an extraordinary event was held at the most prestigious venue in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Palace in Kiev.

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

“I grew up in a village with a population smaller than what the Ukrainian Palace could accommodate,” he said after the ceremony. “A lot of people said to me: 'It's not going to happen…' Stand-up comedy hasn't reached that level.”

It has now happened, largely because of Russia's large-scale invasion.

The invasion turned many Ukrainians away from the once popular and lavishly promoted Russian works and sparked a renewed interest in Ukrainian culture.

Mainstream Ukrainian comedians say they now make jokes to help the public deal with the harsh reality of war and also help the army by raising money.

“Improv comedy is an economical version of psychotherapy,” Anton Tymoshenko tells the BBC.

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

Another popular artist, Nastya Zhukhvala, says the large-scale Russian invasion in February gave a boost to stand-up comedy in Ukraine, albeit for darker reasons.

“The demand for comedy feels completely natural to me now because comedy supports and unites.

“It can make reality seem less catastrophic,” she told me. “It's a tool that can help us process this influx of depressing information.”

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

So what are the jokes that make Ukrainians laugh?

Comedian Hana Kochiura says this type of humor is dark, but making fun of the danger makes it easier to deal with.

“The situation looks bleaker from the outside, and the reason is clear,” she says. “Anyone in Ukraine knows that there are no safe places here.”

“You never know if this airstrike will be the last. You don't know if the witness drone will target your home or your family's home.

“Naturally, all of our topics are related to war,” says Kuchihura. “Because it is our life now. Stand-up comedy is a frank genre in which comedians talk about their own experiences or ideas.”

Here's an example – a joke from Anton Tymoshenko's performance at the Palace of Ukraine:

“I never worried about a nuclear attack because I know it would mean death for the rich population of Kiev. I live in the suburbs – but the nuclear weapons will hit the central parts. Before the fallout reaches me, I will have to make two changes on the subway. .

“More realistically, I would be killed by Iranian Shahed drones. The sad thing is – did you hear the noise they make? It sounds very depressing, like the cheapest kind of death.”

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

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

“Of course, Ukrainians find it funny.”

The Western allies were initially reluctant to allow Ukraine to use their missiles against targets in Russia for fear of escalation. But permission was granted after months of pleading by Kiev: the country's first short-range weapons May 2024Then long-range missiles in November.

Joking about war is fraught with pitfalls.

Anton Tymoshenko says he tries not to “excite” his audience or add to the trauma they may already be experiencing.

“Wartime stand-up comedy is the hardest kind,” he says. “It is possible to tell jokes without offending anyone, but that would be like joking in a vacuum.”

But, it is usually possible to find out where the line is according to Nastya Zukhvala:

“I feel what other Ukrainians feel. If I find something sad or tragic, I don't see any need to turn it into a comedy.”

There is also a very practical side to stand-up comedy in Ukraine, which is helping its military.

“Almost all the comedians I know were helping the armed forces,” says Hana Kochihora. “We are all involved in raising money (for the Ukrainian army). We hold charity shows and many of them perform in front of the army.”

Some of them, like Nastya Zukhvala's husband, Serhiy Lipko, a comedian, are in the army.

“Culture, humor or psychology – it's all well and good, but everything has to be of practical benefit to the military. When there are so many missiles on their way to hitting you, you don't care to talk about art alone,” 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 hryvnia (£580,000; $710,000) since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.