Tactical frivolity is a form of public protest involving humour; often including peaceful non-compliance with authorities, carnival and whimsical antics. Humour has played a role in political protests at least as far back as the Classical period in ancient Greece. However, it is only since the 1990s that the term tactical frivolity gained common currency for describing the use of humour in opposing perceived political injustice. Generally, the term is used to denote a whimsical, nonconfrontational approach rather than aggressive mocking or cutting jokes.
Swedish anti-war protestors blocking a road while dressed as clowns
Major Waldemar Fydrych founder of the Orange Alternative, seen wearing the movement's trademark elf hat at Kraków Book Fair October 2006
A tactical frivolity float, surrounded by protestors at the 2011 London anti-cuts protest
The Orange Alternative is a Polish anti-communist underground movement, started in Wrocław, a city in south-west Poland and led by Waldemar Fydrych, commonly known as Major in the 1980s. Its main purpose was to offer a wider group of citizens an alternative way of opposition against the authoritarian regime by means of a peaceful protest that used absurd and nonsensical elements.
The Dwarf – the statue of the Orange Alternative symbol at the corner of Świdnicka and Kazimierza Wielkiego streets in Wrocław.
The last remaining Orange Alternative Dwarf on Madalińskiego Street in Warsaw. Originally painted on the paint spot covering up the logo of another anti-communist group Solidarność Walcząca
A preserved Orange Alternative dwarf graffito
Poster for the Armed Forces Day on the 12th of October 1987 featuring armed dwarves
