- January 1, 2026
- 8:28 pm
- Israel
From the end of February 2026, Ukrainian comedian and showman Anton Lirnik will conduct a series of solo stand-up concerts in Israel. Over four days, he will perform in four cities — Netanya, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Ashdod. The poster promises smart humor without censorship, proven charisma, and a promise: laughter backed by convictions and actions.
Concert Route: Where and When
- February 26, 2026 (Thursday), 20:00 — Netanya
Eshkol HaPais, Golda Meir Ave. Ticket price — 205 shekels. - February 27, 2026 (Friday), 20:00 — Tel Aviv
Center for Music and Performing Arts, Sheerit Israel St. 10. Tickets: 185–225 shekels. - February 28, 2026 (Saturday), 19:00 — Haifa
Beat Club, Shderot HaNasi 124. Price — 205 shekels. - March 1, 2026 (Sunday), 20:00 — Ashdod
Monart Concert Hall, Derech Eretz St. 8. Cost — 205 shekels.
Before the War: Comedian, Screenwriter, Showman
Before 2022, Anton Lirnik was a prominent figure on the Ukrainian and post-Soviet stage. His creative path began back in the 1990s — with KVN, radio, and work as a screenwriter. In the 2000s, he co-authored dozens of popular TV shows, worked on radio and television, and developed music and internet projects.
In 2006, together with Andrey Molochny, he created “Chekhov’s Duet” — a comedy project that quickly became a resident of Comedy Club (TNT) and gained wide popularity in both Russia and Ukraine.
“Chekhov’s Duet” is a well-known Ukrainian comedic duo that became popular thanks to performances on television, including shows like “Evening Quarter” and “Make the Comedian Laugh”. The group became famous for satirical sketches with elements of absurdity and everyday irony. Their performances on politics, everyday life, and social issues found a wide audience in Ukraine and the CIS countries. Many sketches are still available on YouTube and gather views due to their relevance and accuracy.
In parallel, Lirnik worked as a screenwriter and editor:
Comedy Club, Comedy Woman, Nasha Russia, Laughter Without Rules, Killer League, Comedy Battle, Jokes from A to Z, HB
He was an author and host on TV channels STB, ICTV, 1+1, New Channel
He also created the music project “Lirnik BAND”, performed as a singer, shot music videos, and hosted author YouTube shows (“Jokes in the Elevator” and others). He was a coach in “League of Laughter” (1+1), producing original formats for Ukrainian TV.
By 2022, Lirnik had almost 30 years of experience in media: from morning broadcasts and television hits to his own concert tours. After the start of the full-scale war, he completely changed the vector of his public activity.
From Show Business to Conscious Emigration
Anton Lirnik was born in Chisinau, studied in Odessa, and became known as a Ukrainian TV host and comedian. In the early 2000s, he actively worked on Ukrainian and Russian projects: “Chekhov’s Duet” brought him recognition, tours, and contracts. But after 2014, he increasingly returned to the Ukrainian information field — first as an author, then as an actor and producer.
On February 24, 2022, the day of the invasion, Lirnik was in Moscow.
He published an anti-war post, and a few days later recorded a video message to Putin asking to open a “green corridor” for the evacuation of civilians from Volnovakha. The appeal caused a wave of criticism in Ukraine — the tone seemed too soft to many, and the very fact of addressing the head of the aggressor state caused indignation. Later, Lirnik explained: he was under surveillance, threatened with consequences, and it was the only possible way to convey the message and try to help.
Soon after, he left Russia. He lived with his family in Turkey for some time, then moved to Spain. He still lives there.
“I have no ties with Russia. No property, no friends, no plans. Only the fear that I won’t be able to help those who remain in Ukraine,” he said in an interview.
Helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Children of War: Concrete Actions
Despite the difficult start of 2022 and the wave of hate after the appeal to Putin, Anton Lirnik did not fade into the background. He remained public, openly spoke about Ukraine, and got involved in real charitable initiatives.
His parents and two brothers remain in Ukraine. One of the brothers has been serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war.
“My brother is fighting. And I help as much as I can. This is not for the press, but I know where he is, and we are in touch,” Lirnik explains.
He emphasizes that he regularly helps his brother and his unit — with funds, equipment, and support.
“I help the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” he says directly.
He also admits that he seriously considered joining the Ukrainian Defense Forces:
“I wanted to serve. But then I realized that I could be more useful here — with words, on stage, with resources.”
Since 2023, Lirnik has been conducting stand-up concerts with a charitable component, directing proceeds to humanitarian needs. The main focus is on helping Ukrainian children affected by the war. He collaborates with the UA Alive 2022 foundation, donating to the Camp for Kids program — rehabilitation camps for children who have experienced evacuations, shelling, and occupation.
🧾 Collection Facts:
Spring 2023 — 105,000 UAH
Autumn 2023 — 97,000 UAH
December 2023 — 109,000 UAH
Total — over 300,000 UAH in just one year
The collections took place during tours in Spain, Germany, the Baltic countries, and Israel. All transfers are confirmed by stories, photos, and foundation reports.
Anton also helped personally: in Turkey, he bought clothes and brought humanitarian aid to Ukrainian orphans evacuated by the Ruslan Shostak foundation:
“I personally dressed these children. We brought boxes of clothes — and I saw a child put on a new jacket and smile for the first time. It’s unforgettable.”
Since 2024, the practice has become permanent. On posters, he wrote:
“Every concert of mine is another chance. One ticket — one day of normal childhood for someone.”
He emphasizes that the performances are not about a career, but about a mission of help:
“It’s hard for me to be in the rear, but I know I can be useful. If I can do something with words — I will do it. If laughter gives money for life — I will joke every day.”
Lirnik’s wife explained in an interview with NV:
“We are not returning to Ukraine because Anton is touring, and these concerts are a way to help his brother and those who remain there.”
In 2025, the Russian Ministry of Justice included Lirnik in the list of “foreign agents” — for supporting Ukraine, sharp anti-war statements, and refusing to work in Russia.
“If my concert is an opportunity to send at least one child to camp, I will go on stage every day,” he concludes.
Why Israel and Why Now
The Jewish audience has long been among the artist’s fans. He performed in Israel even before the war, but now these concerts are not just tours. They are a platform for dialogue, a form of communication with the Ukrainian diaspora, and a way to raise donations.
The poster description on the website states: “Smart humor without censorship. Possible bouts of uncontrollable laughter. Possible sudden empathy.”
The audience can expect a balance between satire, self-irony, bitterness, and absurdity. Lirnik talks about emigration, everyday life, conflicts, old age, and parenting. But the underlying theme is Ukraine, war, trauma, and the search for meaning. These are not slogans, not sermons. This is stand-up. But not out of context, with an open heart.
Lirnik Today: Not a Hero, but a Citizen
Anton does not call himself a volunteer or political activist. He emphasizes that he does what he knows: writes, performs, organizes, and donates. He is not visible at rallies, but he is visible in foundation reports. He is not public in the Ukrainian TV space, but he is well known in the diaspora. He does not use tragedy for hype, but he does not remain silent.
In 2025, the Russian Ministry of Justice included him in the list of foreign agents — for supporting Ukraine and sharp statements. Including for interviews where he called Russia’s actions “military madness” and criticized artists who remained in Russia.
What Will Happen in Israel
Four stages, four cities, one artist. Lirnik returns to the stage not as a TV host and not as a clown. But as a person who lives in reality and tries to do what he can.
Concerts in Israel are not propaganda, not a show of suffering. This is an honest stand-up of a person who remained Ukrainian — not by registration, but by essence.
Tickets and Support
Organizers advise booking in advance — in previous years, the halls were overcrowded. Part of the income, as before, will be directed to humanitarian programs.
If you want to laugh without turning off your conscience — this is the place for you.
Anton Lirnik. Solo Stand-up. Israel, February–March 2026.
Tickets – https://showman.co.il/e/anton-lirnik-solnyy-standup/