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Paper short abstract:

Ukrainian war memes, created in response to the Russian invasion, became not only a popular tool of resistance, but also a place where Ukrainian identity is (re-)defined. This paper explores such war memes (translated from Ukrainian) and considers the challenges that one faces in studying the topic.

Paper long abstract:

How does one navigate something as emotionally overwhelming as war? As one Ukrainian journalist jokingly put it, those Ukrainians that didn’t enlist armed themselves with phones, sharp tongues, and started creating memes about the Russian invasion. Made daily in response to the latest news reports, Ukrainian war memes turned into a way for Ukrainians to collectively grapple with impossible issues, and lift, even if temporarily, one’s spirits despite the uncertainty. This type of folk humor became not only a popular tool of resistance, but also a place where Ukrainian identity was negotiated and (re-)defined. Made by Ukrainians and for Ukrainians, such culturally meaningful jokes are often impossible to understand without a knowledge of Ukrainian language, society, history, and the latest developments in the country. For the same reason, they speak – as no news report can ever do – to everyday Ukrainians’ uncensored reactions to the invasion: what is celebrated and what is mocked and criticized, how does one understand being Ukrainian, and how one finds humor and strength in the face of danger. This paper explores such war memes, translated from Ukrainian, focusing on several recurrent themes pertaining to Ukrainian identity and resistance, as well as the psychological and practical challenges that one faces in studying the topic.