Communists mistaken for food during a Ukrainian stand up routine.

During the Glasnost and Perestroika era of the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Ukrainian diaspora in the UK took advantage of a slightly more relaxed approach to international travel and invited cultural groups from Ukraine to visit the UK to perform. These visits sometimes corresponded with larger cultural festivals such as the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales, or regional arts events such as the Bradford Festival, to which Kozachki Zabavy were invited.

Prior to this, other diaspora arts groups had toured in Europe, North America and Canada, but it was very rare for groups from Ukraine to do the same. This period was a time of cultural revival and a hope that Ukrainian culture could be opened up for the world to share and enjoy. Kozachki Zabavy (kozak Fun) was formed in Kyiv in 1990 by Andriy Veres. The group combine contemporary comic responses to life in Ukraine with traditional songs and entertainment and a dash of Kozak spirit to create a cabaret style performance with plenty of opportunity for audience participation.

They have toured extensively world-wide, including Poland, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, South Korea, China, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru. Kozachki Zabavy are currently based in Ukraine and Poland and continue to entertain audiences far and wide.

In this video excerpt, Kozachi Zabavy make a series of jokes about Ukrainian independence and communism. The first is about Ukrainian independence and personal space. This is followed by a joke about visiting a village and asking an old woman if there are any communists in the village. She mistakes communists for 'komush yisty' (anything to eat) and replies that yes, there is plenty to eat.

They then play a comedic song called Cuckoo Polka which features bird noises and other noises thrown in for comic effect. The performers then leave the stage and are replaced by a single man who performs a folk song. The audience join in with the singing and the camera pans around to show their enjoyment.