A close-up of a microphone with a blurred background showing a seated audience in a casual indoor setting, with colorful posters on the walls and people engaging in conversation.

A holiday special full of laughs

Full Episode
49:58

A crowd of mostly young Syrians attend a comedy night in Damascus, Syria.

Ghiath AlHaddad Ayoub/The World

In this comedy special, The World takes you around the globe where artists find humor in unconventional places. Chinese-language open mic events become a place for activists to meet, get  group therapy and share pointed views on life back home in China. Also, Syrian comedians embrace a new era in which social critiques are no longer shunned. And, a Ukrainian comic uses comedy as a way to process war. Plus, a linguistic look at why some words sounds funny.

In This Episode

An Indian comic, conquering the world
4:42
Chinese ‘open mic’ events are more than just comedy
3:53
Syrian comedians embrace a new era
4:33
Zimbabwean comedian is making a splash in the US
8:03
A Saudi dissident weighs in on comedy controversy
5:54
One-man show tackles creativity and mental illness with humor
11:22
For this Ukrainian comic, standup is a defense mechanism
3:44
Why are some words funny?
3:54