Anton Tymoshenko

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.