I grew up in the Balkans in the 1990s, right after the Soviet Union broke apart. It was a confusing time with lots of changes. But there was one thing that always made me happy: a Russian TV show called Yeralash.

What Was It Like Where I Grew Up?

Imagine being a kid in a place that wasn’t fully Eastern anymore, but not quite Western either. That was us in the Balkans back then. We were stuck in the middle, trying to figure things out. In this weird mix, Eralash was like an old friend that stuck around.

So, What’s Yeralash?

Yeralash (Ералаш) is a Russian TV show that’s been on since 1974. It’s still going today! Think of it as a child-friendly version of “Saturday Night Live,” with a dash of “Sesame Street” thrown in for good measure.

Each show has a bunch of short, funny skits. They’re usually about kids in everyday situations – school, home, hanging out with friends. But there’s always a funny twist.

Why Did I Love It So Much?

1. It Felt Real: Even though it was Russian, the stories in Yeralash felt like they could happen to me or my friends.

2. It Was Really Funny: When things around us were serious, Yeralash made us laugh. And funny is funny, no matter what language you speak.

3. It Showed Normal Kid Stuff: While grown-ups were worried about big changes, Yeralash reminded us that being a kid is pretty much the same everywhere.

4. We All Watched It: Talking about Yeralash with friends was fun. It gave us something in common when a lot of things were changing.

5. It Was Good TV: Let’s be honest, we didn’t have many shows to choose from back then. Yeralash was one of the best.

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Looking back, I see that Yeralash taught us stuff too. It showed us how to deal with problems, how to be a good friend, and how to understand others. All while making us laugh!

It also kept us connected to kids in other countries nearby. We knew that children in Russia and other places that used to be part of the Soviet Union were watching too. It made our world feel a bit bigger and friendlier.

Yeralash Today

Amazingly, Eralash is still on TV. Sometimes I watch it online now. It’s changed a bit – kids in the show have smartphones now! But the important stuff, like how fun and tough it is to be a kid, is still the same.

Now that I’m grown up, I see how this little comedy show helped shape how I see the world and what I find funny. It’s pretty cool how a TV show can do that.

So, here’s a big thank you to Eralash, the Russian show that brought so much joy to a kid in the Balkans. Спасибо, Ералаш! (That’s “Thank you” in Russian!)