This is no joke: Inappropriate humour in Ukraine during the 20th and 21st centuries

• Applicant: Kateryna Yeremieieva, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Modern and Contemporary History
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 531349521

My project explores how restrictions on humour have worked in Ukrainian society from 1917 to the present and how these restrictions led to the phenomenon of inappropriate humour. My aim is to construct patterns of the emergence of inappropriate humour in this historical context. The context of communication is very important for my research on inappropriate humour, because the reaction to humour is a key marker for understanding the inappropriateness of a joke. Therefore, I am going to explore reactions that manifest the inappropriateness of a joke. It is important to ascertain the reasons behind the condemnation of laughter about certain objects or in certain contexts to understand the implicit norms guiding communication. One of my main objectives is to analyse the impact of jokes on forbidden topics. This is important because the consequences of inappropriate humour show the (non)success of establishing normativity with the aid of a culture of laughter. This could result in a loss of reputation, conflict, a new culture of vigilance and self-censorship, which means that people have to watch their social environment and its reactions (including their reactions to controversial humour). In addition, the (non)support of taboo humour also contributes to the formation of social groups and the strengthening/establishment of self-identity. These issues will be addressed by analysing several types of sources that contain information on cases of inappropriate humour in Ukraine in the 20th and 21st centuries. One source type is ego documents, i.e. letters, diaries, memoirs by authors and recipients of humour. Another category is formed by interviews with Ukrainian citizens in order to identify and analyse sources of humour. Closely related are films, works of art, etc., in which situations in which inappropriate humour appears are reproduced. A new culture of laughter in modern Ukraine has evolved considerably in recent times and it is very different from the Soviet one. Firstly, the change in the political regime and the development of new political categories affect the content. Secondly, the way humour is disseminated has fundamentally changed: a significant portion of jokes are published on social networks. This also leads to a greater visualisation of humour. Therefore, to analyse contemporary humour in Ukraine, I will analyse social networks, YouTube channels, and reactions to various types of humour on them. I will collect all mentioned aspects in a manuscript, which will be prepared for publication in English. The product of my research will thereby be the historical study of inappropriate humour.

• DFG Programme: WBP Position