Olivia Colman + Adrian Edmondson read letters between Sultan Mehmed IV and the Zaporozhian Cossacks

[@stevensmith743]

Olivia Colman is a gift to all humanity. She always has the very perfect take on her characters. Just fantastic!!

[@williamhiggins842]

Those freaking Cossacks sure knew how to turn a phrase.This letter reading was absolutely hilarious and enlightning! Just a classic.

[@dawne6419]

There's a painting out there depicting the Cossacks writing this letter. The scribe is loving it as the Cossacks are coming up with better and better terms.

[@pekieboo]

It says so in the description: " Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks to Sultan Mehmed IV of the Ottoman Empire, by renowned Russian artist Ilya Repin."

[@juliaconnell]

wow - I thought you were kidding - you were not - hilarious !

[@HK-dq1eg]

Ilya repin

[@jeremymiller9582]

You’ve just made my whole week!

[@mortalclown3812]

Just looked it up! Bloody wonderful. Thank you for the lead.

[@Baribrotzer]

I really hope the Sultan could read, and read the language it which it was written. Otherwise, I do not envy the man who had to translate it, or the one who had to read it out loud to him.

[@DByers-ci5kr]

I was thinking, the poor courtier who was tasked with translating & reading aloud for the sultan this polite note of reply. Sometimes NO just isn't enough.

[@Baribrotzer]

@@DByers-ci5kr He probably just would have said, "Sire, they refuse to retreat or surrender, and aim many grievous insults at your august personage." If the Sultan were wise, he would have left it at that. If I were the courtier and he asked for clarification, I'd present him with the Turkish translation in writing (assuming he could read, some kings couldn't). If he kept on pressing, I'd start by comparing the Cossacks to the Sultan's own Bashi-Bazouks - hoodlums and bumpkins, but hoodlums and bumpkins who could ride a horse and shoot straight. Then I might bring in a condemned prisoner to actually read it, since the guy was going to lose his head anyway.

[@guharup]

Even if he could read, a sultan wont read a letter himself unless its very personal

[@mustafaalimutlu6432]

According to modern historians, letter was never written in the first place. It was a propaganda piece propagated by Russian Empire and subsequent states. You can read up more accurate information on Wikipedia.

[@Baribrotzer]

@@mustafaalimutlu6432 Not a surprise.

[@judylearn7971]

I have listened to this with delight more than once, and looked up the fabulous painting based on this (possibly) apocryphal event---but this was months ago, before Putin's naked aggression in Ukraine. The Cossacks in this famous incident were in Ukraine. It is nearly impossible to listen to this video and not read into the puffed up delusional self-importance of the Sultan, a foreshadowing of Putin. It is also nearly impossible to not hear the fierce spirit of the Cossacks echoed in the ferocity of the Ukrainian resistance.

[@LukeBunyip]

This is a gift which never grows old. She deserved that Oscar, redux.

[@ОлегДахно-л1г]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reply_of_the_Zaporozhian_Cossacks

[@nikolaishmelev7837]

Small correction: yes, the place was in present-day Ukraine, BUT there were no Ukraine nor Ukranians back then, and the Cossacks considered themselves to be part of Rus and Orthodoxy.

[@RoundingThird]

1675 or 2022, Ukrainians don't back down.

[@JR-xo5jp]

Fool they are being sacrificed by the own leader,Europe ,USA ,China and Russia to bring on the great reset ..

[@sharon_shaw]

Putin and his goon squad don't have a snowball's chance in hell of taking Ukraine 💙🇺🇦💛

[@cw4091]

What is it like to live in your fantasy world?

[@santokun5835]

​@@cw4091You should ask that to your daddy in moscow

[@Rosskles]

​@@cw4091 How much longer will the 3 day operation take do you think?

[@StonyRC]

WOW - that was some SERIOUS and historic trash-talk!

[@randomobserver8168]

Ah- the greatest exchange of diplomatic notes ever recorded.

[@frogmouth]

Not particularly diplomatic!

[@tairastuart]

Noooo kidding

[@DoubleMonoLR]

It quite likely wasn't real, many of these letters aren't. Many were created later for propaganda, just for humorous effect, etc.

[@hetedeleambacht6608]

one wonders indeed, not all `diplomatic communication` is as polite as we imagine it, I suppose

[@sjinzaar]

Oh my! Can you see why Olivia is so good? You can see how the emotion of hatred is boiling up inside her as she reads…. She is so amazing. Love love love

[@CraftQueenJr]

Whilst I am entirely aware this letter is apocryphal as hell, it’s still incredibly impressive someone came up with it, and that someone else translated it.

[@rebus888]

And I'm impressed by the bravery of the guy who had to read/give it to the sultan.

[@johannebaker9730]

I love these readings. What a great idea.

[@MrBizteck]

They have a number of audio boos out. Dispite the factvI dont loke cats .. their letters on Cats is very good.

[@JussaraAlmeida2912]

This is one of the best letters read in this awesome event. I love it! 😀

[@spottybalfour4368]

And commentators say abuse and rudeness on social media is something new…bravo Cossacks

[@russergee49]

The Cossack response is just **chef’s kiss**

[@wcg66]

Not really related to this but Olivia Colman in Broadchurch is some of the best acting I've ever seen (nod to David Tennant, of course.) She is an absolute gem in everything she does.

[@Adeodatus100]

The guy with the job of reading this letter to the Sultan: " . . . They say no."

[@MrBizteck]

But the letter is 3 pages long .... what else did they say ? . . . . . Err no is a REALLY long word in their language.

[@saxtonhalegaming]

@@MrBizteck "Well, I would still like to read it. See, I've been learning their language and I don't think "no" is a particularly long word" "Actually, they just accidentally sent and extra two pages. Certainly a waste a your highnesses time."

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

And thus kept his head!

[@attackpatterndelta8949]

For some reason, Mehmed IV felt compelled to keep the letter.

[@alalalala57]

Its all fun and games for a king of kings.

[@beholdthegriffin5488]

“Man I ain’t even mad that was fire”

[@DoubleMonoLR]

Except he didn't, because it didn't exist. There have been multiple variations: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Correspondence_between_the_Ottoman_sultan_and_the_Cossacks It's a funny story, which has a very long history, but the letters themselves almost certainly never existed.

[@johnsteiner3417]

This is how history should always be told.

[@hetedeleambacht6608]

yeah, we should ve had olivia colmans as our teachers jump in unexpectedly, every week, in a particularly boring lesson

[@xerotonin6776]

Imagine Rik Mayall reading Olivia's part.

[@laurathornton1456]

That would have been brilliant, not that Olivia wasn't, but Rik and Adrian worked so well together.

[@elainepayne7047]

I have never laughed so much in my 81 years as I have at Live Letters.

[@popefang]

Adrian just gets better and better, Olivia is superlative

[@rnw2739]

It's only taken 40 years of sitting on Rik Mayalls back...

[@brianmorrison6863]

@@rnw2739 You say crazy nonsense

[@squaddie67]

@@rnw2739 Ade Edmondson could make Rik Mayall lose his shit with very little effort. Theirs was truly an equal partnership.

[@puffin51]

There's no doubt about it, the fine art of international diplomacy has declined. Mind you, the French still keep up some of the old traditions.

[@mariannegeraud6318]

That was pretty clear....the Cossacks weren't contemplating surrendering to the Sultan and the Sultan didn't contemplate the possibility that they wouldn't!! But he did ask them nicely 🤣

[@sheilastockdale6715]

We really need to bring back letter writing!!! Bravo performance!!!!! 👏👏👏👏

[@stevekelly5166]

But the deliverer of letters otherwise known has the Royal Mail are on strike me lady. Great reading with one side then the other.

[@Julikachen]

I don't know what it is about Olivia that I instantly feel better when I see her. She truly is a tonic!

[@АлександраБерезина-й3у]

Yesss 💪💪💪 I saw the picture many times and now I know what they wrote in the letter 😁

[@ni-31]

Replace Sultan with Putin and everything else still stands true even today lol. So glad I saw this.

[@kristoffermangila]

Just replace the ancient place names for Russian ones, as well as your suggestion and its perfect!

[@tardx]

World-class invective, magnificently delivered - an inspiration to underdogs everywhere. Try doing THAT with emojis!

[@Aramanth]

Great delivery!!! There is a wonderful painting by Ilya Repin _Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks_ which depicts the Cossacks are gathered around a table all of whom seem to be enjoying pitching their words for the drafting of the letter! Ah... Letter writing is a lost artform!

[@madMARTYNmarsh1981]

Olivia is great but Ade lights up everything he does. Two exceptional talents on one stage.

[@cmarie8099]

This may be my favorite yet!!!

[@Zonker66]

My expectations were immediately subverted. I assumed the roles would be reversed and Olivia would be the pompous one. I loved it.

[@theangryholmesian4556]

Peter Capaldi's and Olivia Colman's readings are both excellent.

[@PaulHung77]

I wish the Cossacks wouldn't beat about the bush and get to the point

[@hetedeleambacht6608]

gold

[@victorkrisel7108]

So well done and entertaining!

[@MrXutech]

Now that's some high quality swearin'

[@charliemarkovic4301]

I was translating that into Serbo-Croatian in my head and almost died from hypoxia laughing.

[@JanineAnita]

Brilliant!

[@filmsforsmartpeople3587]

The lost art of letter writing....That was great.

[@banba317]

Those Ukrainians were amazing; I think Zelensky should send a similar letter to Putin!

[@qdHazen]

They already have "Russian warship, go fuck yourself!"

[@tyguy101a]

Snake Island said it loud and clear

[@kristoffermangila]

Oh come on, this reply is awesome! Better yet, make it an open letter addressed to Vlad Putin, modify it to replace the ancient place names with modern Russian ones, and let President Zelensky read it aloud for all to see and hear!

[@HerrAndreasSkog]

The entire last three months have been a materialization of that letter.

[@guharup]

Yep very effective before death and destruction; them letters

[@mortalclown3812]

You just don't hear 'catamite' often enough these days.

[@lucillepearson5349]

How utterly fabulous!

[@kmlisle]

You can see why Ukraine is so good a social media.

[@andreagriffiths3512]

This needed to be so much longer!

[@prismaticmarcus]

sometimes you don't need that many words...

[@mariakelly90210]

In January 2019 I was in the hospital recovering from hip replacement surgery when I had the honor and privilege of getting to see Olivia Coleman's now legendary Oscar acceptance speech. Because of the way she read a letter written by Elizabeth the Queen Mother during WW2, I have subscribed to this incredible channel.

[@carolyndean4591]

I just love Olivia’s letter readings!

[@TinEE189]

I was howling from start to finish. Reading some of the comments its seems the translation was loose at best, but still even if just the tone was captured - absolutely savage. You have to respect the Cossacks 😂👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@Troels_T_Kjoeller]

When this popped up on KZbin I was hoping Adrian would be reading the Cossack letter. And I’m sad Rik Mayall isn’t here to read the sultan’s part.

[@rm6763]

Ah the good old times. People don’t write insults like this anymore.

[@mariakelly90210]

Probably because one would get into all sorts of trouble for writing it. Can't be hurting people's feelings, can we?

[@HisameArtwork]

I'm half turkish and I love this. sultans were a pain in the ass for everyone involved.

[@SemihBERBER-lv7ng]

I agree as a Turkish

[@alancrabb]

So, meaningful and substantial talks are ongoing, then.

[@jetaddicted]

Constructive and cordial.

[@Finsirith]

Well. I guess the Ukranians have had an attitude for centuries.

[@ericbeaton7211]

Absolutely Brilliant!

[@jessicalinn9407]

I'm👏at👏work👏 laughing to myself until coughing. OMG this has to be the best use of the internet ever.

[@janekay4147]

Love it!!

[@emdee7744]

Yikes, what a reply! Colorful to say the least.

[@kristoffermangila]

For the present situation in Ukraine, we can modify the reply and address it to Vlad Putin...

[@tomhill4003]

that's a first-class tear down... the best insults EVER!

[@mcarp555]

I can't help but hear Vivian's voice coming out of Ade's mouth.

[@davidscoltock3970]

You have to wonder what happened to the poor bastard that had to read that letter to his boss

[@auroraborelaris]

there is no historical evidence that this did happen so probably mehmed 4 never received this letter

[@mariamartamarcolinocava1551]

Brilhante apresentação!!!

[@IvanaKupala]

Iliia Ripyn was a Ukrainian painter, NOT russian.

[@DrWhoHarvey]

I wish someone would send a letter like the cossacks to putyin. What fun tha5 woild be.

[@timschultz7597]

The Rus should have learned from the Turks' mistakes and not challenged the Cossacks. They already regret it.

[@michaelmazowiecki9195]

The Rus are the Ukrainians including the Zaporoze Cossacks. The Russians (Rosiya) are not the Rus though they claim to be.

[@nikolaishmelev7837]

Cossaks were literally the Rus (Russyns or Russians badically the same thing, to them)

[@thememeslinger7506]

What makes this funnier is the fact that (in the context of the letters) the forces of Mehmed IV had just gotten their asses handed to them by the Cossacks

[@donsirko67]

I wish my father, Ivan, could have seen this.

[@jamesbaker7112]

I love me some Olivia Coleman.

[@glossaria2]

That painting is astounding; her delivery, even better.

[@annem9195]

Nobody can throw an insult like the Slavs!

[@ljooste]

How accurate of a translation is the reply letter? I cannot imagine their insulting phrases or swear words are the same as the ones we use today. Surely some creative license has been taken?

[@ОлексійЄкименко]

As Ukrainian I can assure you, that translation is accurate enough. Somewhere the rhyme is missed, cause the original letter is rather poetic or rhythmic I may say, but such translation lapse is possible. The words are absolutely correct. However, in Ukraine it is believed by some historians that very rude phrases (fuck your mother) were added later or maybe was censored. This letter was written 1676 and later versions were used to encourage army spirit, so copies may be different sometimes. The fact we know about this letter means sultan received it. which I believe he was trying to hide)))

[@99fruitbat94]

Sadly it's fake . Russian propaganda written much later . Still hilarious tho 😅

[@pygiana16]

Somewhat free and creative translation.

[@odem5856]

More relevant now then even a year ago.

[@RiotingSoul]

So there's a precedent.

[@wordjunkys]

Ilike these best when the letters are read rather than done as a monologue or theatre.

[@daylittrell7490]

This letter is so similar to one read by Peter Capaldi and Matt Berry, also for Letters Live. That one was also hilarious.

[@mr.raslyon6626]

The greatest response ever written by man 🤣

[@belbrighton6479]

Love Kyiv ❤️🇺🇦 No Pasarin!

[@MelissaThompson432]

Well, that was worth being up early on Sunday morning...

[@romanchomenko2912]

Iliya Repin came from a Zaporozhian Cossack family the real surname is Repa but the family changed it to sound Russian.

[@oneworldfamily]

Love Ade. He knows how to work an audience!

[@carolynallisee2463]

Oh Boy! I would not have liked to be Mehmet IV's translator when this one came rolling in!

[@MrDoenyon]

Just how many times did they read that letter exchange ?

[@croydonrudeness1079]

hahaha, probably the greatest reply ever

[@reid1967]

So that's a no then is it?

[@vitovtus]

Brilliant

[@shadowjack8]

Bravo!

[@DemstarAus]

I love Ade! One of my favourite humans.

[@leejudith5209]

She is so spectacular with anything that comes across her table .

[@LoverOfBellies]

Matt Berry & Peter Capaldi did this one

[@AmberSlemmer]

Long live Vyvyan!!! YOUNG ONES FOREVER!

[@icook1723]

Time for the cossaks to write a letter to putin.

[@jaysonpida5379]

I don't ever want a Cossack to write me a letter.

[@MedievalFolkDance]

In fairness, slaying a hedgehog with my own naked arse sounds like an exceptionally unpleasant thing to do on a variety of levels. I certainly wouldn't be kissing the arse of a person who brags about being able to do so. I'd be interested to see, if only for medically scientific reasons.

[@lucesainte-marie9017]

Mehmed the Fourth’s description by himself reminds me of a recent bombastic president-elect in this side of the Pond.

[@GygaxGirl]

Prisoner Zero has escaped and collected mucho attitude! The insults of the cossacks shocked me. They put the inflated ego of that sultan in place quickly. Somehow, I thought that insults were not so much a thing in those days. I stand corrected.

[@nightjarflying]

These letters are a hoax/forgery

[@АгатаДиРосси]

She is divine!👑

[@Stoppit-tidyup]

I really needed him to read this as Eddie from bottom....

[@AL-fl4jk]

This was some OG shade

[@alanconway94]

Yep. This is good. Not as good as the Matt Berry / Peter Capaldi reading; but it'll do.

[@Chipchap-xu6pk]

I can see where the "Russian warship, go fuck yourself" came from. Utter legends.