- Bogdan Vakhnych
- City – Truskavets (Ukraine)
- Language – Ukrainian
- Activity – stand-up comedian, doctor
Becoming an artist
Bogdan Vakhnych is a Ukrainian stand-up artist. By education, the star of the comedy scene is a pediatrician. For seven years he has been working at the Lviv Regional Center for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine. So jokes about everyday medical and civilian life occupy a prominent place in the comedian's work.
Grandfather and grandmother dreamed that Bogdan would become a priest. In Galician towns, such as Truskavets, where Vakhnych was born, a church minister is a respected and revered figure. The boy was often taken to church, but Bohdan did not see himself as a priest in the future. Instead, the boy's attention was attracted by the way his friends were chasing a ball or playing on a console. That's when he realized: church was not his path.
In high school, Bohdan decided that he would become a pediatrician. He dreamed of giving health to children, without thinking about the realities of the profession. Real difficulties - lack of resources, low salary - only over time dispelled rosy illusions. Bohdan notes: if he had known about the pitfalls in advance, he would have advised himself to go into the information technology industry.
Creative path
Bohdan Vakhnych began his journey to success in the comedy genre, wide popularity, and recognition from fans of the genre during his student years. His debut took place at a student humor evening at the Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University. The first performance was a huge success. The audience reacted wonderfully, and a real success was felt. All attention was focused on the performer of bright jokes, and this was inspiring.
Later, Bohdan decided to try himself at the first "open microphone". He took the stage with previously tested material. However, the jokes that were played in the student dormitory turned out to be not at all funny for journalists, IT people, and other spectators present. But Vakhnych did not despair and only perceived the failure as an invaluable experience.
The idea quickly arose to assemble a creative team – the KVK team – to participate in the student “League of Laughter”. I wanted to show the audience that doctors know how to joke. And professional humor is special, although often in a black style.
Attempts to organize a team gradually grew into stand-up performances and led to cooperation with representatives of Ukrainian stand-up comedy. At that time, humor was more of a hobby for Bohdan. The performances often did not bring any profit at all. But Vakhnych understood for sure: he wanted to develop in stand-up. And in order to move forward, he had to choose: Kyiv or Lviv. Since he studied and lived in Lviv, he made the decision quickly.
Style and creative development
Bohdan never got along well with pediatrics. However, the specialist was gladly hired to work in a group of emergency doctors. Later, offers of work in private institutions appeared. But the artist had already plunged headlong into the world of stand-up and won his first fans. Therefore, he did not want to change his main place of work.
In addition, it is the specifics of the profession that allows him to receive a large amount of material for jokes. Working at the emergency room became a real treasure trove of stories for stand-up for Vakhnych. Bohdan says that when you encounter a lot of trash every day, you need to somehow survive it. Hence the specific sense of humor in medical teams. He notices the same thing in police officers or rescuers. But the strongest, according to the comedian, are the jokes of the military.
Bohdan continues to move along the stand-up track. He has a successful performance in the Ternopil bar "Goat", on the money mic stage. Cooperation with STAND UP Battle Club begins. And then there are solo programs and a tour of Ukraine. Vakhnych's first solo album was called "Chvertka". With the next program "Doctor's Confession", the comedian organized a Ukrainian charity tour. They raised funds for medical evacuation for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In August 2024, Bohdan leaves the STAND UP Battle Club project. Later, together with comedian Slavik Martyniuk, they create a humorous YouTube project "Medical Stories".
Interesting facts about the artist:
- Vakhnych's first joke in stand-up was that he was a "God-given atheist";
- In his school years, Bohdan was well versed in programming and even went to subject Olympiads;
- The artist notes that he has no restrictions on topics for humor. But the main thing he strives for is to never lie on stage;
- The comedian calls his beloved the main censor of all jokes.
