Kayrat Ramazan, a famend slapstick comedian from Kazakhstan, represents a brand new wave of Kazakh stand-up. Kazakhstan solely not too long ago launched into a assured path towards democratic reforms after gaining independence. The nation is at the moment experiencing a interval of fast improvement within the political, financial, and cultural spheres, and this course of is mirrored within the style of stand-up comedy. As Kayrat Ramazan says, comedy is an important instrument for societal transformation—it helps to determine and voice points that lack typical technique of communication. Humor permits folks from completely different social strata and even completely different international locations to search out frequent floor—a conclusion that Kayrat confirms along with his personal instance, having gained reputation by means of performances in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Russia. As a finalist in a number of main comedy exhibits and the founding father of his personal stand-up membership, Kayrat Ramazanov is satisfied that humor is at the moment the first technique of growing worldwide communication, and one of many important obstacles to this improvement is censorship, each state-imposed and societal.
Kayrat, till not too long ago, many comedians from Kazakhstan labored in Russia, and also you your self efficiently carried out within the largest comedy exhibits. However then the scenario modified, and now many Russian comedians have moved to Kazakhstan completely. How has this affected your relationship along with your Russian colleagues? Has there been any particular solidarity or, conversely, a way of competitors?
For a few years, Moscow was certainly a middle of attraction for passionate folks from all around the post-Soviet area. Numerous progressive folks and concepts gravitated there. It was a spot the place I and lots of different artists wished to understand ourselves and made plans for the longer term. There was a prevailing perception that Russia had modified because the collapse of the Soviet Union. At the moment, Russia in my eyes was like a locomotive that would pull the opposite post-Soviet international locations ahead to a brighter future. Because the battle has proven, this impression was mistaken. Nevertheless, not solely residents of Kazakhstan or different CIS international locations had been mistaken of their expectations, but in addition many Russians who, after the beginning of the battle, had been pressured to depart their properties and go overseas, together with Kazakhstan.
Migration sparks comedy gold
Relating to the angle in direction of refugees, I’ve a joke that goes like this: I’ve nothing towards immigrants as a result of I got here right here with them. In actuality, that’s precisely what occurred: first I lived with associates in Moscow, and the following day my associates had been already residing with me in Uralsk (a metropolis in western Kazakhstan). There was no specific competitors because of the mass migration of artists—there aren’t that many people, Russian-speaking comedians, to really feel competitors in a market of 200 million folks. And at that second, nobody actually considered it, folks had been extra nervous about their place on the battle. Comedians from Russia had been towards the battle and brazenly said it, so that they simply discovered a standard language with native comedians.
Are you able to recall any attention-grabbing moments associated to migration from Russia?
For instance, when Kazakh and Yakut comedians obtained collectively and drank tea collectively. The nuance is that Kazakhs and Yakuts are Turkic folks, long-separated kinfolk assembly after centuries.. There have been many different humorous moments brought on by the on a regular basis collision of two worlds wherein I lived at the moment. And within the cultural sphere, there was a combination of Russian and Kazakh comedy. Undoubtedly, Russians introduced one thing new to our tradition, however in addition they felt the Kazakh vibe themselves. There was contact, artistic alternate. Now all of the comedians have already change into associates, there are even those that obtained married. A brand new group has emerged.
Laughter breeds internal power
Did skilled solidarity assist? In any case, you all finally characterize one occupation, work in the identical subject.
I can say that comedy as a complete performs an essential function in troublesome instances, resembling battle, pandemics, or financial crises. Firstly, it helps to cut back stress ranges, as laughter promotes the manufacturing of endorphins and improves general well-being. Secondly, comedy unites folks, creating a way of group and assist, which is very essential in isolation or in situations of uncertainty. Thirdly, humor permits you to have a look at troublesome conditions from a special angle. It might function a sort of “first assist” for the thoughts, making it simpler to understand worry and anxiousness. Lastly, comedy can contact on severe subjects, serving to folks perceive them in a extra gentle and accessible method. This creates an area for dialogue and criticism, which could be helpful for emotional therapeutic. On the whole, comedy turns into an essential instrument for adaptation and sustaining optimism in troublesome instances.
They are saying that stand-up is a sort of remedy for the performer. Is that this true, and is it just for the performer?
Performing shared therapeutic truths
Sure, stand-up can certainly be thought-about remedy, not just for the performer but in addition for the viewers. For us comedians, the method of performing typically turns into a method of understanding and processing our personal feelings and experiences. We share private tales, which helps us work by means of our emotions and discover humor in them. This could result in emotional aid and larger readability. Then again, for the viewers, stand-up generally is a supply of consolation and assist. By listening to comedians, folks can understand that they don’t seem to be alone in experiencing difficulties and may snigger at shared issues.
You may have expertise of profitable performances in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine, the place you participated in main nationwide tv tasks. It may be mentioned that you’ve got worldwide recognition inside the CIS. As an professional, how do audiences differ in several international locations?
Even if all international locations are principally Russian-speaking, there are language variations in intonation. For instance, the Kazakh language has a particular phonetics and grammar, and the Ukrainian language has its personal traits. Due to this, wordplay and puns could be perceived in a different way. However in addition they present extra instruments for creating new jokes. Cultural peculiarities additionally play a particular function—in Kazakhstan, jokes about household values and relationships inside the household are extra common, in Ukraine, jokes on political subjects, and in Russia, folks react extra vividly to on a regular basis subjects and life tales. On the whole, when performing outdoors of Kazakhstan, I seen that viewers reactions can differ considerably, and this requires a sure adaptation of the fabric. Subsequently, once I arrive someplace, I first study concerning the native present information to remain knowledgeable. And throughout the efficiency, it’s essential to hearken to the viewers’s response—if I see that sure jokes are well-received, I proceed to develop that theme. If one thing doesn’t work, I’m able to shortly change to one thing else.
Selecting human over fame
You carried out in entrance of the longer term President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and in Russia, you turned a finalist in a present on one of many nation’s important TV channels. After such achievements in different international locations, didn’t you are feeling a lack of scale while you returned to Kazakhstan?
I’ll let you know a secret, on the day of my departure, a brand new season of one of many common exhibits on a federal channel was scheduled to start out. However I made a decision to return to Kazakhstan. In fact, it was arduous to depart every part I had been working in direction of for years, however on the time of departure, there have been no ideas about shedding scale, I simply wished to stay human. For me, that is essential! I might faux that nothing was occurring, possibly I’d have received materially, however I didn’t need to assist different folks in Russia keep the phantasm of normality. What would Ukrainians, Kazakhs, or Russians with an anti-war stance consider me then? What would they consider my individuals who raised me? I don’t want bloody cash or bloody fame.
Would you wish to work in different international locations? In what route do you intend to develop additional?
World stage awaits laughter
Undoubtedly, I wish to work in different international locations! Each new expertise enriches each me and my creativity. I believe stand-up has a novel capability to attach with folks from completely different cultures, and I wish to strive performing in locations like America and Europe. As for the route of improvement, I need to proceed experimenting with materials and magnificence. I’m keen on exploring new subjects and approaches, in addition to collaborating with different comedians. On the whole, I try to develop as an artist and develop my horizons, finally creating deeper and extra multifaceted humor that resonates with completely different audiences.
This yr, two high-profile instances of comic arrests occurred in Kazakhstan—Nuras Khan Baskozhayev and Alexander Merkul. Formally, they had been arrested for swearing in public, however it’s believed that they had been punished for political jokes. Do you are feeling the strain of censorship in your work?
It is rather irritating that the Kazakh authorities, as an alternative of finishing up reforms and bettering the standard of life for the inhabitants, are placing strain on artistic folks. I imagine this can be a waste of the state’s vitality, sources, and time, and the state system has misguided priorities. Our nation already has a comparatively low human capital improvement index. And on the similar time, as an alternative of supporting initiatives which are being undertaken by our personal efforts, the authorities are subjecting artistic folks to harsh strain. Undoubtedly, that is political strain, undoubtedly that is the institution of so-called “pink traces.” I believe the Kazakh authorities are very nervous concerning the emergence of idols who can voice the ideas and temper of the folks. In an authoritarian nation the place state establishments are nonetheless weak and public coverage is absent, stand-up successfully turns into public discourse. I’d say that stand-up is changing into public coverage. And state censorship doesn’t simply hinder our work; it hinders our lives!
Evolving by means of laughter’s dangers
Along with state censorship, there’s additionally societal censorship. These days, you’ll be able to simply be canceled for an unsuccessful joke on social media. How do you take care of hate for unsuccessful jokes and the way do you joke basically if any joke can offend somebody?
It’s essential to grasp that not every part in comedy shall be perceived positively. And if a joke doesn’t work, I see it as a chance for development. Constructive criticism helps me enhance. However generally, the one that wrote an indignant remark forgets about it ten minutes later. Subsequently, that you must perceive that it’s unattainable to please everybody. In 16 years of doing comedy, I’ve developed knowledgeable immunity; I merely ignore empty hate or reply with humor. The principle factor is to stay honest and open with the viewers. In any case, comedy is a danger, and errors are a part of the method. They don’t criticize those that do nothing.
Along with stand-up performances, you additionally write screenplays for movies, work as an editor and mentor for aspiring comedians, work on creating your individual present, and are getting ready a comedy artwork guide in Kazakh. Don’t you are feeling like that you must concentrate on one factor?
Cultural comedy’s daring evolution
I don’t have that feeling, and it may’t be, as a result of these are all associated actions, one logically follows from the opposite. Comedy has many kinds: there are jokes that may solely be informed from the stage in a stand-up format, and there are issues that may solely be revealed visually in a movie or sequence. As for mentoring and writing a guide, I take into account this my contribution to the event of Kazakh tradition.
If earlier the primary stars of stand-up had been comedians from Nice Britain and the USA, now an increasing number of new stars are rising from different international locations, from Europe, India, and so forth. What are the prospects for representatives of Kazakh stand-up to take their place on the Olympus? Is there a particular model, a vibe, in Kazakh stand-up?
How one can perceive your house on Olympus? Our compatriot is at the moment the most effective comedians in the USA. Borat Sagdiyev, haven’t you heard? However significantly, Kazakh stand-up and its representatives have good alternatives to make a reputation for themselves on the worldwide stage. In any case, we turned an unbiased nation solely 30 years in the past; we’re new folks within the international scene. Our lifestyle, traditions, tradition, and comedy are one thing unexplored and new to the fashionable world. Contemplating how a lot Kazakhs love comedy, the time just isn’t far off when a preferred English-speaking comic from Kazakhstan will emerge. Possibly even it is going to be me!
Inspiration fuels comedic development
Who do you look as much as in your stand-up work? Is it essential for a comic to be well-versed within the materials of different seasoned stand-up comedians, or are there different major qualities?
Being well-versed within the materials of different stand-up comedians is certainly essential for a comic, however it’s not the one key high quality. Figuring out the fabric of different comedians helps perceive completely different kinds, strategies, and subjects, which lets you keep away from clichés and discover distinctive approaches. I rewatch numerous stand-up. Comedians I get pleasure from rewatching and look as much as embrace Louis C.Okay., Jim Jefferies, Jimmy Carr, Dave Chappelle, Invoice Burr, and Aziz Ansari. From the CIS: Arthur Chaparyan, Slava Komissarenko, Ruslan Bely, Nikita Shevchuk, and Vanya Usovich. Nevertheless, major qualities resembling the power to search out humor in on a regular basis life, creativity, emotional intelligence, and the power to work together with the viewers could be much more essential. A comic must really feel the temper of the viewers and have the ability to adapt to the scenario.
The occupation of a comic was once perceived as one thing unserious. How is the scenario now?
Comedy defies expectation day by day
You wouldn’t imagine what number of instances my mother and father requested me to stop comedy, had conversations with me as if I had been a drug addict, not a comic. Dad and mom may also be understood; they stay in a time of change. It’s essential for them that their baby has a steady job. Comedy continues to be a thorny path. However the criticism continued till the primary TV look. Now, each mother and father and society perceive that comedy is simply as a lot work, possibly even tougher. Not everybody can write materials and carry out on stage for five minutes, whereas we will stand on stage for hours. We comedians don’t do something unhealthy, we simply need to joke to make folks smile and be blissful. In any case, there’s no regulation that claims everybody needs to be severe. Nicely, not but!
In your opinion, the place are there extra situations for the event of comedy—in a multicultural or monocultural society?
In my view, a multicultural society supplies extra situations for the event of comedy. In such an surroundings, the variety of cultures, traditions, and life experiences creates a wealthy floor for distinctive and diverse humor. Comedians can draw inspiration from a number of sources, permitting them to play with variations and discover frequent themes.
Cultural jokes ignite curiosity
Multicultural societies additionally allow the creation of deeper and extra layered jokes that may contact on numerous elements of life and relationships between cultures. General, the richness of a multicultural context can considerably enrich the artwork of comedy. Happily, Kazakhstan has no scarcity of cultural range, which is encouraging.
