Laughter Celebration in Odesa: Traditions and New Challenges

On April 1st, the city garden in Odesa hosted a performance by the actors of the «Masks» theater in honor of April Fool's Day.

According to a report by the Ukrinform correspondent, the artists sang songs, danced, and recited poetry. The event also featured a humorous quiz where tickets to the «Masks» theater performance were raffled.

«We live in a dual world... When there is a lot of negativity, the need for positivity grows. We know how to make people happy. I see the faces of people before and after our performances – they are different. Many audience members have approached me, saying that thanks to us, they smiled for the first time in years. A nation that hasn't forgotten how to laugh cannot be defeated,» said Boris Barsky, director of the «Masks» theater.

Theater actor Oleksandr Postolenko noted that the need for laughter is always present among Odesa residents, especially during wartime.

«Everyone needs to take a break. Of course, we must remember that there is a war. We need to help. You cannot forbid love, having children, or laughing. Laughter is one of the facets of our life,» the artist said.

Since the 1970s, Humorina has been traditionally celebrated in Odesa on April 1st, founded by the author group of the Odesa KVN team «Businessmen». Initially, the event included celebrations at the stadium, a carnival parade, a vintage car show, comedy movie screenings, and concerts by amateur groups and pop stars, along with caricature and humorous photography contests. Although the festival was banned by the authorities in 1976, it was revived in the late 1980s.

In 2014, Humorina was canceled due to the critical situation in the country. There was no large parade, but a mini-festival called «Comedyada» took place on the streets, organized by the «Masks» comic troupe. However, in 2017, thousands of people marched through the city’s central streets, wearing clown wigs and funny costumes. During the pandemic in 2020-2021, Humorina was held online.

In 2022, despite the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion, Odesa residents held Humorina-Javillina, with the main event being a charity online marathon to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In 2023, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Humorina, the actors of the «Masks» theater and the National Guard orchestra congratulated the residents of Odesa. In 2024, the «Masks» plan to hold an «economy-version» of Humorina in the city garden.