Talgat Zhumagulov

Talgat Zhumagulov is a Kazakhstan-born writer, diplomat and international development professional based in Istanbul. His nonfiction writing focuses on memory, social change, consumer culture and...

Talgat Zhumagulov is a Kazakhstan-born writer, diplomat and international development professional based in Istanbul. His nonfiction writing focuses on memory, social change, consumer culture and everyday economic life. He is the author of the essay collection “Diplomat in Sandals” and the ongoing nonfiction series “Economy of Childhood,” exploring ordinary life during a time of rapid historical transformation.

Talgat Zhumagulov

writes

When Turkish gum became Kazakh children's currency

By 1990-91, a single pack of Turbo gum might cost around three Soviet rubles. At a time when a respectable monthly salary for an adult could be roughly 300 rubles, this was hardly insignificant. For a child, buying imported gum was both pleasure and investment.

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