On April 1st, the city of Odesa hosted a laughter festival in the city garden to celebrate April Fool's Day, featuring performances by the actors of the «Mask» theater.
This was reported by a correspondent from Ukrinform.
The performers showcased a variety of acts, including songs, dances, and poetry. A humorous quiz was also held, where tickets to a theater performance were given away as prizes.
«In these times of negativity, it's crucial to spread joy. We have the ability to make people happy. I see how the faces of the audience change before and after our performances. Sometimes people approach me and say that they smiled for the first time in years thanks to us. A people who can laugh cannot be defeated,» said Boris Barsky, the director of the «Mask» theater.
Actor Oleksandr Postolenko noted that the need for laughter is always present among Odesans, especially during tough times.
«It’s essential to have distractions. Of course, we must not forget that we are in a war. We need to support one another. It's impossible to stop loving, having children, and laughing. Laughter is one of the sides of our life,» the artist said.
Since the 1970s, Humorina has been traditionally celebrated in Odesa, founded by the creative team of the Odesa KVN «Business People». Initially, it included a festive event at the stadium, complete with a carnival parade and concerts, but it was banned by the authorities in 1976. However, it was revived in the late 1980s.
In 2014, Humorina was canceled due to the difficult situation in the country. Although there was no grand parade, a mini-festival called «Comedyada» took place. By 2017, thousands of people marched through the city in clown wigs and funny costumes. During the pandemic years of 2020-2021, the event was held online.
In 2022, despite the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion, Odesans held Humorina-Dzhavilina, with a charity online marathon supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In 2023, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Humorina, Odesans were greeted by the actors of the «Mask» theater and the National Guard orchestra. In 2024, «Mask» plans to hold an «economical version» of Humorina in the city garden.
