Відео

Humbled and honored to receive the 2020 J. J. Reneaux Emerging Artist Award, together with the wonderful NYC artist April Armstrong. The online ceremony of the award took place at the 2020 National Storytelling Network Festival, on June 5, 2020.

Everyone in Russia wants to learn English, though not everyone does.

One weekend, in 2001, I found myself alone at home thinking, “I enjoy being alone. I am a self-sufficient introvert.” I felt happy. Then, I thought, “Who am I kidding? I don’t really enjoy being alone. I’m just uncomfortable around people.” And I felt unhappy. Back then, my mood often changed from euphoria to depression.

As we kissed, I remembered an episode from Friends, where Monica mentioned that American women have seven erogenous zones. I took Joanna’s hand and said, “You know, I’ve never been with an American woman before. I know that American women distinguish seven erogenous zones, but I’m not sure where all seven of them are. I’m fairly certain of three. Would you explain the other four for me?”

The story “Flirting Like an American” was performed in Black Cat in Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2018 at the Story District show. This story reflects my cultural struggles and barriers as an immigrant. This piece became the title story for my solo show at the 2019 D.C. Fringe Festival, Flirting Like an American. Video credits go to filmmaker, Nart Shekim.

Endangered scholar

I received a package with a turkey caller and a card from the shop owner saying, “Thank you for sharing your culture and the story of your birth with me. Please accept this small gift as a welcome to America.” I was glad that my exotic Circassian story resonated with Americans. But I’ll confess, I always suspected that people who sell guns would imagine doing it partly to protect America from M...

Nart Shekim and Sufian Zhemukhov tell a story about storytelling: Two Circassians Walk Into the 2018 National Festival.

Grandpa told me, “One member of our extended family always inherits magic, and I think it is you. However, in order to balance that talent, we also have seven fools in the family. When one fool dies, another one is born or marries into our extended family."

I believe in God, but not in miracles. So, I will tell you about miracles, which I witnessed during my Muslim Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, in 2009. Though, nothing dramatic happened, like Jesus turning water into wine, which would be illegal in Saudi Arabia and only get us in trouble, if it happened. Our group from Russia included sixty women and ninety men. We spent a week in Mecca and then trave...

Grandpa said, “You’ve witnessed my magic, today. And I want to tell you a secret. One member of our family always inherits magic. However, in order to balance that talent, we always have seven fools among our relatives. When one fool dies, another one is born or marries into our family, so that it would always be seven.” I said, “Grandpa, you are obviously the one with magic talent. Are you try...

They were GRU agents, which is Russian military intelligence. GRU is the most secretive and the most horrible agency in Russia. It originated during Stalin’s time and used to be called SMERSH, which was abbreviation for Death To Foreign Intelligence. I never before I saw a GRU in flesh. I only heard that they tortured their suspects by electrocution. The three GRU agents were like wolves; and t...

This story is a winner of Story Slam, the competition at the 2018 National Storytelling Festival, in Jonesborough, TN. The 2018 Story Slam's theme was, "Revelation," and had six finalists - Denise Bennett, VA - second place; Steven James, TN; Mark Lamb, NY - first place; Amanda Lawrence, GA; Rick Merritt, NY; Sufian Zhemukhov, Washington, DC - third place.

This story is called "Flirting Like an American." It won 2019 Moth Story Slam.

American Dinner

American Shoes and Jesus