In the latest episode of the podcast “Rozkrut”, Sergiy Sternenko meets stand-up comedian and volunteer Vasyl Baidak. The meeting takes place on Ukraine’s Independence Day—a fitting occasion to discuss not only the holiday, but also key issues of supporting the Armed Forces.
The hosts discuss the importance of donations for the Ukrainian army. During the live stream, funds were raised for drones, and viewers donating from 300 UAH could win knives or a harmonica in special raffles. Large sums were collected, often through creative formats—such as auctions, haircuts, or charity tours across Europe.
The guests touched on the topic of language transition—how comedians and many Ukrainians switched to speaking Ukrainian after the events of February 24, the challenges they faced, and the personal reasons behind these decisions. Vasyl offered advice for those wishing to transition: surround yourself with Ukrainian-language content, watch and listen to media, and read books in Ukrainian.
The discussion also covered the independence of Ukrainian humor. While the comedy scene once relied heavily on the Russian cultural sphere, nearly all stand-up stars now perform exclusively in Ukrainian.
Another important theme was humor in wartime—whether it’s appropriate to joke during conflict, and why laughter is a vital psychological mechanism for both society and the military.
Vasyl Baidak also described organizing charity auctions, the Bad Street Boys project, and record-breaking fundraising activities for the army. Ukrainian creative charity initiatives have become a global phenomenon.
The episode ended with raffle results and Independence Day wishes, emphasizing the message: support the army, back Ukrainian culture—together toward victory.
