Radio Yerevan jokes

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The Radio Yerevan jokes, also known as the Armenian Radio jokes, have been popular in the Soviet Union and other countries of the former Communist Eastern bloc since the second half of the 20th century. These jokes of the Q&A type pretended to come from the Question & Answer series of the Armenian Radio.[1][2] A typical format of a joke was: "Radio Yerevan was asked," and "Radio Yerevan answered."[3][4]

Examples of jokes[edit]

Examples of Radio Yerevan jokes include:

  • Radio Yerevan was asked: "Is it true that there is freedom of speech in the USSR (in some versions, Russia), just like in the USA?"
Radio Yerevan answered: "In principle, yes. In the USA, you can stand in front of the White House and yell, "Down with Reagan!", and you will not be punished. Equally, you can also stand in the Red Square in Moscow and yell, "Down with Reagan!", and you will not be punished."[3]
  • Radio Yerevan was asked: "Is it possible to build real socialism in Armenia?".
Radio Yerevan answers: "Yes, but it would be better to do it in Georgia".
  • Radio Yerevan was asked: "Could an atomic bomb destroy our beloved town, Yerevan, with its splendid buildings and beautiful gardens?"
Radio Yerevan answered: "In principle, yes. But Moscow is by far a more beautiful city."[5]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Paul Gleye (1991), Behind the Wall: An American in East Germany, 1988-89. SIU Press. ISBN 9780809317431
  2. ^ Birgit Beumers (2005), Pop Culture Russia!: Media, Arts, and Lifestyle. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781851094592
  3. ^ a b Allan Stevo (2014). "Radio Yerevan Joke Collection". Bratislava Guide.com. Archived from the original (Internet Archive) on September 8, 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  4. ^ Draitser, E. (1989). "Soviet Underground Jokes as a Means of Popular Entertainment." The Journal of Popular Culture, 23(1), 117–125.
  5. ^ Armenian Institute