Shapi Kaziev

Shapi Magomedovitch Kaziev (Russian: Шапи́ Магомедович Кази́ев; born March 27, 1956) is a Russian writer, playwright and script writer. Avar by ethnicity. He is the author of historical novels and other books.

Kaziev was born in Makhachkala, in the Dagestan ASSR, and has lived in Moscow since 1974. His education in scriptwriting was with the faculty of VGIK (now known as the State Cinematography University). His cinematic debut was the screenplay of the movie Breakfast (Lenfilm). He was author of the film Rasul Gamzatov ("My Way"). He was awarded the 2003 special prize of the "Eurasian Kaleidoscope" Documentary Film Competition.

Kaziev has been a productive playwright. In addition to comedies and avant garde plays, he has written historical dramas. His first published play was the Answering machine, Modern Drama, No. 3, 1986. In 1987 his play on Imam Shamil (Captive) was published. He made his stage debut with the play Newcomer (in Moscow, 1987). His plays have been staged in Russian and foreign theaters and on the radio.

He has been a member of the USSR Union of Writers since 1989.

In 1992 he founded the "Echo of the Caucasus" Publishing House in Moscow and became its editor-in-chief (for the magazine of the same name and books on Caucasian culture and folklore).

He gained literary popularity from his book Imam Shamil in series "The Lives of Remarkable People" ("Molodaya gvardia" Press, Moscow). Four editions have been published from 2001 to 2010.

He writes in different genres (prose, drama, poetry, etc.). He also writes for children.

The total circulation of his books is over 50,000 copies. He has won domestic and international literary prizes and competitions.

He is involved in civic activities in the field of international relations and has participated in international academic congresses and peace projects.

(Russian titles in parentheses)

• Imam Shamil (Имам Шамиль) "Molodaya Gvardiya" Press. Moscow, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2010. ISBN 978-5-235-03332-0
• Akhoulgo. Caucasian War of 19th century (Ахульго). The historical novel. "Epoch", Publishing house. Makhachkala, 2008. ISBN 978-5-98390-047-9
• Crash of tyrant. Nadir Shah (Крах тирана). The historical novel about defeat the army of Nadir Shah in Daghestan. "Epoch", Publishing house. Makhachkala, 2009. ISBN 978-5-98390-066-0
• Caucasian highlanders (Повседневная жизнь горцев Cеверного Кавказа в XIX в.). Everyday life of the Caucasian highlanders. 19th century (In the co-authorship with I.Karpeev). "Molodaya Gvardiy" publishers. Moscow, 2003. ISBN 5-235-02585-7
• East harem Everyday life of East harem (Повседневная жизнь восточного гарема). "Molodaya Gvardiy" publishers. Moscow, 2006. ISBN 5-235-02853-8
• East harem Collection of alive jewelry. Audio book. (Восточный гарем. Коллекция живых драгоценностей). CD сom, Moscow, 2006. ISBN АВ-МР3-436
• In paradise, travel. Plays (В раю, проездом. Книга пьес). Makhachkala, 2008. ISBN 978-5-297-01454-1
• Highlander's ABC Book (Горская азбука). Makhachkala, 1995. Moscow, 2002. ISBN 5-900054-07-1

• Prize of Sheikh Saud аl Babtin. 1998
• Prize of the Union of Journalists of Moscow and the Government of Moscow. 1999
• Prize "Best feathers of Russia". 1999
• Prize of the Union of journalists of Russia "For professional skill". 2001.
• Big literary prize it. Rasul Gamzatov. 2008.
• Prize "Best books of year". 2009.