Pointed and provocative

The cabaret scene in Austria and Germany is flourishing, especially in times of crisis. But what exactly makes us laugh? Which topics are currently relevant? And what is it acceptable to joke about?

What people find amusing and what jokes they recognise as such depends, among other things, on age, gender, milieu and cultural background, reports Germanist Mario Huber. However, he regrets that the comic tradition is not so pronounced in German-language literature. "Apart from cabaret, we have television series and carnival, none of which are considered high culture. This apparently discourages authors from writing funny texts,‘ Huber speculates. Which is unfortunate, because ’humour certainly lightens the mood and can provide food for thought. Laughing together – with someone, not at someone – connects people and promotes social cohesion."

To the Unizeit article (2025)