What is the special local name of Odesa's April Fools' festival?

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Odesa's April Fools' festival is called Humorina.

Humorina is an annual festival of humor held in Odesa, Ukraine, around 1 April. Its program has traditionally included a large city-centre parade, concerts, comedians, clowns, street performances and crowds dressed in playful costumes. The event turns April Fools' Day from a private prank tradition into a public celebration.

The festival was created in 1972 by members of Odesa's KVN comedy team, after the all-Union KVN contests and television show were discontinued. It became established as an annual event from 1973. The name was reportedly coined by Oleg Stashkevich, one of the team's founders, by analogy with a film festival name.

Humorina is not the same as Malanka, Kupala or Maslenitsa, which are associated with other Ukrainian or Slavic seasonal traditions. Since 2010, Odesa's April celebrations have also included an International Festival of Clowns and Mimes.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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