Spartak Subbota calls those demanding Felix Redka's shows be cancelled "Komsomol scum"

Psychologist reacts to comedian's concert cancellations

Controversial psychologist Spartak Subbota publicly came to the defence of stand-up comedian Felix Redka. In early October, Redka's performances as part of the "Odyssey" tour were cancelled in Lviv, Khmelnytskyi and Ivano-Frankivsk.

The reason was the comedian's controversial statements regarding the language issue, the dismantling of the Bulgakov monument in Kyiv, and his ironic comments about power outages.

"Cancelling Komsomol scum"

In a video appeal published on TikTok, Subbota called the situation a typical attempt to "cancel" a person for holding unpopular views. He used aggressive language when commenting on the actions of the critics.

"Цікава ситуація навколо Фелікса Редьки відбувається… Для мене це виглядає як таке кенселяще комсомольське бидло українське зібралося і починає відміняти двієчника, наказувати його публічно за те, що він вчиться не так, як зручно комуністичній партії України" (An interesting situation is unfolding around Felix Redka... To me, it looks like some cancelling Ukrainian Komsomol scum has gathered and is starting to cancel the failing student, punishing him publicly for not learning in a way that is convenient for the Communist Party of Ukraine), Subbota stated.

Personal relationships do not hinder assessment

The psychologist admitted that his relationship with Redka is far from warm. However, he emphasised that this does not affect his objective assessment of the comedian's professionalism.

"Я знаю його ставлення до мене, не треба мені нагадувати, він уже тисячу разів казав, що я для нього неприємна людина і все інше. Але мені потрібно вміти розділяти його ставлення до мене і те, ким він є. Він є за фактом… ну, якщо не найталановитішим, то одним із найталановитіших коміків в Україні, і з цим не можна не рахуватися" (I know his attitude towards me, no need to remind me, he has said a thousand times that I am an unpleasant person to him and all that. But I need to be able to separate his attitude towards me and who he is. He is, as a matter of fact... well, if not the most talented, then one of the most talented comedians in Ukraine, and one cannot fail to take that into account), Subbota noted.

Defending the right to irony

According to the psychologist, Redka is in tune with the moods of many people, doing so in a way that leaves no feeling of guilt after his jokes.

"Він висловлює думку багатьох із нас, причому висловлює так, що ми потім не відчуваємо… принаймні якоїсь провини. Тобто він уміє жартувати з цього приводу, і робить це досить приємно, дуже тонко ходить по межі – молодець, тут до нього питань немає" (He expresses the opinion of many of us, and does so in a way that we then do not feel... at least any guilt. That is, he knows how to joke about this, and does it quite pleasantly, walks the line very finely – well done, there are no questions about him here), Spartak added.

Concern over the loss of artists

Subbota sees the main threat not in the polemic itself, but in the fact that society is being deprived of outstanding people.

"Мене більше хвилює те, як суспільство примудряється втрачати останнє, що в нього залишається, – це людей. З територіями питання, з надрами питання вже навіть немає, але втрачати людей, хлопці, таких як Фелікс – ну, типу, це єдиний, напевно, воістину проукраїнський комік, який виражає позицію багатьох із нас" (I am more worried about how society manages to lose the last thing it has left – people. There is a question with territories, there is no longer even a question with the subsoil, but to lose people, guys, like Felix – well, like, he is probably the only truly pro-Ukrainian comedian who expresses the position of many of us), the psychologist is convinced.

Subbota separately responded to the actions of other comedians who condemned Redka. According to him, in real life they are unable to either resist or openly express their position.

Felix Redka himself characterised the events as pressure. In defence of his reputation, he reminded people of his donations to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the fact that his father has been serving at the front since 2014. The situation caused a split among society and the comedian's colleagues.