The well-known satirist and writer Erkin Zhappasuly has passed away, reports the national portal Adyrna.
Erkin Zhappasuly was born in 1954 in the village of Ekpin, Aksuat district, Semey region. In 1982, he graduated from the Faculty of Journalism at Kazakh State University (now KazNU). He began his career at the newspaper Kazakhstan Pioneer (Ulan), later working in the propaganda editorial office of the republican association Kazakhkitap, as well as a correspondent for the newspaper Kazakh Literature.
His first satirical works were published starting in 1967 in the newspapers Semey Tany, Kazakh Literature, Leninshil Zhas (now Zhas Alash), Kazakhstan Pioneer, and in the journals Ara-Shmel, Zhuldyz, and Zhalyn.
He made a significant contribution to the development of Kazakh satire. He published several books, including Who Finds It Funny, Who Finds It Harsh?, Oh, It Tickles Me…, Don’t Be Shy, My Charming One, and The One Who Never Whines, Still Whines. In 2003, for his work Don’t Be Shy, My Charming One, he was awarded the International Alash Literary Prize. His works have been translated into Russian and Chinese.
In addition, Erkin Zhappasuly was a regular contributor to satirical programs on the television channels Kazakhstan and Khabar, as well as to the famous entertainment show Tamasha.
