Anton Tymoshenko

My name is Anton Yanomchuk. I'm active here in the east since the very first days of the invasion. We're going to Pokrovsk, basically on the front line. It's been heavily attacked day and night. There are around 7,000 people still in the city. So we'll try to get some people out of that nightmare.

Well, are you ready? On October 14th, 2023, an unusual event took place at Ukraine's most prestigious venue, Palace Ukraine. Anton Tymoshenko became the first Ukrainian comedian to give a solo performance there.

He recalls being told that the event was never going to happen because the popularity of stand-up comedy had not reached that level in Ukraine. Well, it has now, to a large extent because of the full-scale invasion launched by Russia. It turned many Ukrainians away. from the previously popular and lavishly promoted Russian acts and triggered a renewed interest in Ukrainian culture.

Anton Tomaschenko says his jokes help people deal with the grim reality of war.

Popular performer Nastya Zuhvala says Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 gave stand-up comedy in Ukraine a boost, albeit for all the wrong reasons.

So what is making Ukrainians laugh? Time for an example. A joke from Anton Tomaschenko's performance at Palace Ukraine.

There's also a very practical side to what stand-up comedians are doing for Ukraine now, helping its army. Many of them raise funds for it, perform for the military, and some have joined the army. Mr Tomoshenko says he's collected and donated about $700,000 since the start of the full-scale invasion. Laughter heals, but turns out it can also help collect money for attack drones.

On October 14, 2023, an unusual event took place at Ukraine's most prestigious venue, Palace Ukraine. Anton Tymoshenko became the first Ukrainian comedian to give a solo performance there.

Anton Tymoshenko!

who recalls being told that the event was never going to happen because the popularity of stand-up comedy had not reached that level in Ukraine. Well, it has now. Anton Tomashenko says his jokes help people deal with the grim reality of war.

Popular performer Nastya Zuhvala says Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 gave stand-up comedy in Ukraine a boost, albeit for all the wrong reasons.

So what is making Ukrainians laugh? Comedian Hanna Kochehura says the humour may be grim, but making fun of danger makes it easier to cope with.

Time for an example. A joke from Anton Tymoshenko's performance at Palace Ukraine.

There's also a very practical side to what stand-up comedians are doing for Ukraine now, helping its army. Many of them raise funds for it, perform for the military, and some have joined the army. Mr Tomashenko says he's collected and donated about $700,000 since the start of the full-scale invasion. Laughter heals, but turns out it can also help collect money for attack drones.