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Volume 20, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 1740-8296
  • E-ISSN: 2040-0918

Abstract

The article is interested in the role of humour employed in memes on X by the government of Ukraine in the war following the invasion by Russia in 2022. It brings insights from cultural and humour studies as well as psychology into politics and shows how and what kind of humour the government around President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a professional comedian, uses in their meme communication via social media in order to communicate with the public, seek global legitimacy and support, as well as depict and attack the enemy. It shows that the government uses a broad set of different humour types, styles and theories while completely avoiding self-deprecation as a humour style and humour which corresponds to relief theory. While this absence may not seem surprising at first in a situation of war in which there is a need to maintain tension towards the enemy, to galvanize support and avoid emphasizing own faults which might make it appear weak, the void of such forms of humour should be reconsidered. While this absence may not seem surprising during a war – a time in which there is a need to maintain tension towards the enemy, to galvanize support and to avoid emphasizing one’s own faults so as not to give the appearance of weakness – the void of such forms of humour should be reconsidered. The article calls for further research on the benefits and limitations of laughter in war. It argues that both relief theory and self-deprecation can be effective tools of crisis communication as these forms of humour can contribute to the portrayal of confidence and strength, while also providing a means of dealing with the difficult and traumatic experiences the population is facing in times of war.

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2026-04-12

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No relief from war: The use of humour in memes by the government of Ukraine and the limitation of laughter
International Journal of Media & Cultural Politics 20, 3 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1386/macp_00086_1
/content/journals/10.1386/macp_00086_1
/content/journals/10.1386/macp_00086_1
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  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): conflict; fun; images; jokes; public diplomacy; Russia; social media; violence

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