- Full name – Svyatoslav Stefanovich Zagaykevich
- Date of birth – May 25, 1989
- Place of birth – village of Gorenka (Ukraine)
- Language – Ukrainian
- Activity – stand-up comedian, actor, director, presenter
Svyatoslav (better known as Svyat) Zagaykevich is a Ukrainian stand-up artist, founder and leader of “Underground Stand-up”, actor and director. Zagaykevich’s stand-up club became the leader among Ukrainian-language channels on YouTube in 2022. And the project’s residents are top Ukrainian comedians, whose concerts gather full halls across the country.
The path of Sviat Zagaykevich in stand-up
Sviat Zagaykevich, whose biography reveals to us a versatile and creative figure, gained the greatest popularity precisely in the stand-up genre. Sviat still remembers his first performance. Zagaykevich took to the stage on September 21, 2012. The comedian entertained the audience at a party organized by Andriy Shabanov in the building of the now closed Kyiv cinema.
Sviat Zagaykevich felt that stand-up had a great future in Ukraine at the beginning of his creative path. At that time, this genre was only gaining momentum, but it was already clear: Ukrainian humor was reaching a new level. Sviat was sincerely proud of being at the origins of a new wave of comedy. And already in 2015, he launched his own project - "Underground Stand-up".
The idea for “Underground” was born to Sviatoslav Zahaykevich after unsuccessful attempts on television. When the format did not take off, the stage took it over. The first shows took place in an anti-cafe, where the audience literally sat under the stairs. Then there was a garage near Kontraktova Square – that’s where the character of the project, its atmosphere and principles were formed.
Development of “Underground”
Today, Sviatoslav Zahaykevich’s “Underground Stand-Up” is not just a show, but an entire ecosystem of Ukrainian humor, uniting over twenty comedians. Sviat emphasizes that it is not a “party”, because he does not accept a frivolous attitude towards creativity. For Zahaykevich, it is a full-fledged professional stage, where each artist has his own voice and style. The format is constantly evolving – the themes, performance, presentation change, but the main thing remains: honesty and freedom.
After the start of the full-scale war, the genre rapidly transformed. Svyat remains a realist - he sees great potential in the development of stand-up as part of Ukrainian culture, but emphasizes the balance between entertainment and responsibility to the audience.
Style of humor and joke topics
Svyat Zahaykevich is convinced: society needs stand-up to relieve tension. It is a way to talk about difficult things through jokes, without ignoring reality. The paradox is that a comedian must simultaneously remind of painful events and play them off in a way that makes it easier to breathe.
Stand-up is a minimalist genre: a microphone, lights and a person on stage. Without unnecessary decorations. And it is this simplicity that allowed Ukrainian humor to quickly adapt to the conditions of war. Svyatoslav Zahaykevich comes out and honestly shares his experience - about being in the subway during alarms, about nuclear threats, about fatigue from the news or the story with the dog Patron.
Svyat's humor is often called "smart and bold." It combines self-irony, black humor, and sharp observations of everyday life. Some of the new material was born from European tours and the experience of living in Ukraine during the war. Svyatoslav Zahaykevich also jokes about personal things - about the age difference with his girlfriend, about life with a cat, about his own fears and doubts.
At the same time, the comedian clearly draws a line - there are topics that are not worth joking about. The tragedies of the Ukrainian people do not become the object of ridicule. Humor for Svyatoslav is support, a way not to lose common sense.
Performance formats
Svyat Zahaykevich performs both solo and in duets or collective formats, often performing the role of the host of the evening. His concerts are always a thoughtful process, where not only the stage is important, but also the atmosphere of the space.
Sviatoslav has repeatedly emphasized that a great performance is possible only when everything is organized professionally: a comfortable hall, attentive staff, and a prepared audience. For a stand-up artist, it is not an improvisation “just in case,” but a clearly structured performance in which humor works precisely and accurately. As a comedian, Svyat is demanding of himself and the stage. His approach to the stage is one of respect for the audience and the genre itself.
Sviatoslav Zagaykevich’s solo programs:
- “Nothing New”;
- “Director of the Vegetable Warehouse”;
- “Sviatoshinsky Psychopath”;
- “Sviat Zagaykevich. Solo Stand-up" and others.
Comedy projects with the comedian's participation:
- "Almost Intellectual Show";
- "Underground Raids";
- "Underground Cinema Club";
- "Conversation";
- "Quiz" Show and others.
Sviatoslav's media activity
Sviat Zagaykevich's media presence is closely linked to "Underground Stand-up". Svyatoslav is not only a top comedian, but also the main ideologist of the project and the face of a YouTube channel with an audience of over 200 thousand subscribers.
Sviat regularly appears in popular shows, in particular in "Roconspiracy” by Emma Antoniuk and the Stand Up Battle Club formats, where he manifests himself as a deep and frank speaker. In addition to stage performances, Zahaykevich develops authorial audiovisual projects - for example, “The Saddest Podcast in the World” and improvisational shows.
On social networks - Instagram and TikTok - the artist actively shares fragments of performances, announces concerts, charity gatherings and tours.
Sviatoslav Zahaykevich's audience
Svyat's audience is mostly urban youth and adults who appreciate intellectual humor and sincerity. These are people who are close to modern Ukrainian creativity and bold formats without censorship.
Zahaykevich's audience is ready for black jokes, for sharp topics and for honest conversations about reality. A large part of the audience supports the comedian's charitable initiatives and is interested not only in the show, but also in the philosophical reflections in the podcasts.
Why is it worth going to a stand-up comedy by Svyatoslav Zahaykevich
Going to a concert by Svyatoslav is like spending an evening with a very witty friend in the kitchen. The comedian's performances are always lively and as "personal" as possible. After all, Zahaykevich talks about life in such a way that you recognize yourself in every joke.
Svyatoslav's stand-up comedy is a mix of intellectual humor and a life base, where even conversations about depression or dark topics do not oppress, but on the contrary - give a feeling of relief. And after the concert, a feeling of community and support remains. So, Zahaykevich's stand-up comedy is the best way to unwind after a difficult week and recharge with positivity in a pleasant, friendly company.
