Who Are We Laughing At? Satire, Dissent, and Self-Criticism

Join us for a conversation with poet, novelist, and literary critic Dmitry Bykov: https://www.sas.rochester.edu/mlc/people/faculty/bykov-dmitrii/index.html about satire, the freedom to offend, and the challenge of turning a critical eye on ourselves. Drawing on Russian and Soviet literature as a starting point, the discussion will explore the possibilities and limitations of humor in political and cultural life across different societies.

When does satire challenge our convictions, and when does it simply reassure us that we are right? Can ridicule open space for disagreement, or does it deepen contempt for those who think differently? What responsibilities accompany the freedom to provoke and offend? Together, we will consider how satire moves between exposing others’ failings and acknowledging our own, and whether laughing at ourselves can foster intellectual humility and a greater willingness to engage with opposing views.

This event is co-hosted by the Center for Expanding Viewpoints in Higher Education: https://expandingviewpoints.tufts.edu/(CEVIHE) at Tufts University, and the Russia and Eurasia Program: https://sites.tufts.edu/fletcherrussia/ at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. We are grateful to our promotional partner, the Russian European Cultural Center Boston: https://www.recc-boston.org/.

The conversation will be moderated by Arik Burakovsky, Associate Director of CEVIHE, and will include substantial time for audience Q&A. The event will be conducted entirely in English.

CEVIHE welcomes attendees from all disciplines, backgrounds, and worldviews. This event is open to the public, but registration is required. Learn more and register here.: https://cevihe.org/dmitrybykov

CEVIHE_logo