Kayrat Ramazan:"Censorship doesn't hinder our work; It hinders our lives!"

Kayrat Ramazan, a famend humorist from Kazakhstan, represents a brand new wave of Kazakh stand-up. Kazakhstan solely just lately launched into a assured path towards democratic reforms after gaining independence. The nation is presently 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 a vital instrument for societal transformation—it helps to determine and voice points that lack typical technique of communication. Humor permits individuals from totally different social strata and even totally different international locations to seek out frequent floor—a conclusion that Kayrat confirms along with his personal instance, having gained recognition by way of performances in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Russia. As a finalist in a number of main comedy reveals and the founding father of his personal stand-up membership, Kayrat Ramazanov is satisfied that humor is presently the first technique of creating worldwide communication, and one of many foremost obstacles to this improvement is censorship, each state-imposed and societal.

Kayrat, till just lately, many comedians from Kazakhstan labored in Russia, and also you your self efficiently carried out within the largest comedy reveals. But then the state of affairs 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 individuals from all around the post-Soviet house. Quite a lot of progressive individuals and concepts gravitated there. It was a spot the place I and plenty of different artists needed to appreciate ourselves and made plans for the longer term. There was a prevailing perception that Russia had modified for the reason that collapse of the Soviet Union. At that point, Russia in my eyes was like a locomotive that would pull the opposite post-Soviet international locations ahead to a brighter future. As the battle has proven, this impression was mistaken. However, not solely residents of Kazakhstan or different CIS international locations had been mistaken of their expectations, but additionally many Russians who, after the beginning of the battle, had been compelled to go away their houses and go overseas, together with Kazakhstan.

Migration sparks comedy gold

Regarding the perspective in direction of refugees, I’ve a joke that goes like this: I’ve nothing in opposition to immigrants as a result of I got here right here with them. In actuality, that’s precisely what occurred: first I lived with mates in Moscow, and the following day my mates had been already residing with me in Uralsk (a metropolis in western Kazakhstan). There was no specific competitors as a result of mass migration of artists—there aren’t that many people, Russian-speaking comedians, to really feel competitors in a market of 200 million individuals. And at that second, nobody actually considered it, individuals had been extra anxious about their place on the battle. Comedians from Russia had been in opposition to the battle and overtly said it, in order that they simply discovered a typical language with native comedians.

Can you 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 individuals, long-separated kinfolk assembly after centuries.. There had 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, inventive trade. Now all of the comedians have already turn out to be mates, there are even those that obtained married. A brand new neighborhood has emerged.

Laughter breeds inside energy

Did skilled solidarity assist? After all, you all in the end signify one occupation, work in the identical area.

I can say that comedy as a complete performs an vital position in troublesome occasions, equivalent to battle, pandemics, or financial crises. Firstly, it helps to scale back stress ranges, as laughter promotes the manufacturing of endorphins and improves general well-being. Secondly, comedy unites individuals, creating a way of neighborhood and help, which is very vital in isolation or in circumstances of uncertainty. Thirdly, humor lets you take a look at troublesome conditions from a unique angle. It can function a sort of “first aid” for the thoughts, making it simpler to understand worry and anxiousness. Finally, comedy can contact on critical subjects, serving to individuals perceive them in a extra mild and accessible method. This creates an area for dialogue and criticism, which may be useful for emotional therapeutic. In common, comedy turns into an vital instrument for adaptation and sustaining optimism in troublesome occasions.

They say that stand-up is a sort of remedy for the performer. Is this true, and is it just for the performer?

Performing shared therapeutic truths

Yes, stand-up can certainly be thought of remedy, not just for the performer but additionally 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 way of our emotions and discover humor in them. This can result in emotional reduction and better readability. On the opposite hand, for the viewers, stand-up is usually a supply of consolation and help. By listening to comedians, individuals can understand that they don’t seem to be alone in experiencing difficulties and may chortle at shared issues.

You have expertise of profitable performances in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine, the place you participated in main nationwide tv initiatives. It may be mentioned that you’ve got worldwide recognition inside the CIS. As an professional, how do audiences differ in several international locations?

Despite the truth that 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. Because of this, wordplay and puns may be perceived in another way. But in addition they present extra instruments for creating new jokes. Cultural peculiarities additionally play a particular position—in Kazakhstan, jokes about household values and relationships inside the household are extra common, in Ukraine, jokes on political subjects, and in Russia, individuals react extra vividly to on a regular basis subjects and life tales. In common, when performing outdoors of Kazakhstan, I seen that viewers reactions can fluctuate considerably, and this requires a sure adaptation of the fabric. Therefore, once I arrive someplace, I first be taught in regards to the native present information to remain knowledgeable. And throughout the efficiency, it’s vital 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 rapidly change to one thing else.

Choosing human over fame

You carried out in entrance of the longer term President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and in Russia, you grew to become a finalist in a present on one of many nation’s foremost TV channels. After such achievements in different international locations, didn’t you are feeling a lack of scale once you returned to Kazakhstan?

I’ll inform you a secret, on the day of my departure, a brand new season of one of many common reveals on a federal channel was scheduled to begin. But I made a decision to return to Kazakhstan. Of course, it was arduous to go away every little thing I had been working in direction of for years, however on the time of departure, there have been no ideas about dropping scale, I simply needed to stay human. For me, that is vital! I may faux that nothing was occurring, perhaps I might have gained materially, however I didn’t wish to assist different individuals 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 prefer to work in different international locations? In what course do you intend to develop additional?

Global stage awaits laughter

Definitely, I wish to work in different international locations! Every new expertise enriches each me and my creativity. I feel stand-up has a novel capacity to attach with individuals from totally different cultures, and I wish to strive performing in locations like America and Europe. As for the course of improvement, I wish to proceed experimenting with materials and magnificence. I’m interested by exploring new subjects and approaches, in addition to collaborating with different comedians. In common, I attempt to develop as an artist and broaden my horizons, in the end creating deeper and extra multifaceted humor that resonates with totally different audiences.

This yr, two high-profile circumstances 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 could be very 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 inventive individuals. I consider it is 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 identical time, as an alternative of supporting initiatives which can be being undertaken by our personal efforts, the authorities are subjecting inventive individuals to harsh strain. Undoubtedly, that is political strain, undoubtedly that is the institution of so-called “red lines.” I feel the Kazakh authorities are very nervous in regards to the emergence of idols who can voice the ideas and temper of the individuals. In an authoritarian nation the place state establishments are nonetheless weak and public coverage is absent, stand-up successfully turns into public discourse. I might say that stand-up is turning into public coverage. And state censorship doesn’t simply hinder our work; it hinders our lives!

Evolving by way of laughter’s dangers

In addition to state censorship, there’s additionally societal censorship. Nowadays, you’ll be able to simply be canceled for an unsuccessful joke on social media. How do you cope with hate for unsuccessful jokes and the way do you joke basically if any joke can offend somebody?

It’s vital to grasp that not every little thing in comedy will probably be perceived positively. And if a joke doesn’t work, I see it as a chance for progress. Constructive criticism helps me enhance. But typically, the one who wrote an indignant remark forgets about it ten minutes later. Therefore, that you must perceive that it’s inconceivable to please everybody. In 16 years of doing comedy, I’ve developed an expert immunity; I merely ignore empty hate or reply with humor. The foremost factor is to stay honest and open with the viewers. After all, comedy is a danger, and errors are a part of the method. They don’t criticize those that do nothing.

In addition to stand-up performances, you additionally write screenplays for movies, work as an editor and mentor for aspiring comedians, work on creating your personal present, and are getting ready a comedy artwork guide in Kazakh. Don’t you are feeling like that you must deal with 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 varieties: there are jokes that may solely be advised 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 principle stars of stand-up had been comedians from Great Britain and the USA, now increasingly more 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 type, a vibe, in Kazakh stand-up?

How to grasp your home on Olympus? Our compatriot is presently among the best comedians within the United States. Borat Sagdiyev, haven’t you heard? But severely, Kazakh stand-up and its representatives have good alternatives to make a reputation for themselves on the worldwide stage. After all, we grew to become an unbiased nation solely 30 years in the past; we’re new individuals within the world scene. Our lifestyle, traditions, tradition, and comedy are one thing unexplored and new to the fashionable world. Considering how a lot Kazakhs love comedy, the time isn’t far off when a well-liked English-speaking comic from Kazakhstan will emerge. Maybe even it will likely be me!

Inspiration fuels comedic progress

Who do you look as much as in your stand-up work? Is it vital for a comic to be well-versed within the materials of different seasoned stand-up comedians, or are there different main qualities?

Being well-versed within the materials of different stand-up comedians is certainly vital for a comic, but it surely’s not the one key high quality. Knowing the fabric of different comedians helps perceive totally different types, strategies, and subjects, which lets you keep away from clichés and discover distinctive approaches. I rewatch a variety of stand-up. Comedians I take pleasure in rewatching and look as much as embrace Louis C.Ok., Jim Jefferies, Jimmy Carr, Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, and Aziz Ansari. From the CIS: Arthur Chaparyan, Slava Komissarenko, Ruslan Bely, Nikita Shevchuk, and Vanya Usovich. However, main qualities equivalent to the power to seek out humor in on a regular basis life, creativity, emotional intelligence, and the power to work together with the viewers may be much more vital. A comic must really feel the temper of the viewers and be capable to adapt to the state of affairs.

The occupation of a comic was once perceived as one thing unserious. How is the state of affairs now?

Comedy defies expectation each day

You wouldn’t consider what number of occasions my mother and father requested me to give up comedy, had conversations with me as if I had been a drug addict, not a comic. Parents can be understood; they dwell in a time of change. It’s vital for them that their little one has a steady job. Comedy remains to be a thorny path. But the criticism continued till the primary TV look. Now, each mother and father and society perceive that comedy is simply as a lot work, perhaps 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 wish to joke to make individuals smile and be completely happy. After all, there’s no legislation that claims everybody needs to be critical. Well, not but!

In your opinion, the place are there extra circumstances for the event of comedy—in a multicultural or monocultural society?

In my opinion, a multicultural society supplies extra circumstances for the event of comedy. In such an atmosphere, the range of cultures, traditions, and life experiences creates a wealthy floor for distinctive and different 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 features of life and relationships between cultures. Overall, the richness of a multicultural context can considerably enrich the artwork of comedy. Fortunately, Kazakhstan has no scarcity of cultural variety, which is encouraging.