Sermet Erkin facts for kids

Sermet Erkin, born in 1957, is a famous Turkish stage magician. He is also a journalist and used to be a theatre actor.

Sermet Erkin's Early Life

Sermet Erkin was born in 1957 in a town called Karamürsel in Kocaeli Province, Turkey. His name was chosen by the husband of the famous singer Safiye Ayla. He also had an older brother named Mehmet Saffet.

Later, Sermet's family moved to Istanbul. They lived on a street near the home of a very famous magician, Zati Sungur. Sermet started school in Nişantaşı, Istanbul, in 1964.

After high school, he went to Istanbul University. He first studied Turkish Literature. Later, he graduated from the History of Philosophy Department.

His Amazing Career

Sermet Erkin loved all kinds of stage arts, especially magic, from a young age. He was really inspired by the magician Zati Sungur.

Starting in Theatre

Sermet began his acting career at the Istanbul City Theatres. He performed in many plays until 1977. He was in a children's play called Karagözcü ile Sihirbaz. This means "Karagöz Player and the Magician."

The play was written just for Sermet's magic skills. It was special because it was the first children's play to have a big opening night. He kept acting even after starting his own theatre company. Today, he still helps organize theatre festivals.

Becoming a Magician

Sermet Erkin's teacher and guide was Zati Sungur, a magician famous around the world. When Sermet was 19, he started his professional magic career in Zürich, Switzerland. He was visiting his niece there.

He performed a magic show for some children during Easter. A Swiss show manager saw him and was very impressed! This manager helped Sermet get a job performing magic at a well-known night club.

After returning to Turkey, Sermet kept performing magic shows. He appeared on stage and on television. He traveled all over Turkey, Europe, and the USA. For more than 18 years, he performed at "Kervansaray," a popular night club in Istanbul. His wife, Nuray, also performed folk songs there. Sermet still performs magic for children in schools today.

Working as a Journalist

Starting in 1976, Sermet Erkin also wrote articles for children. He wrote columns in newspapers like Hürriyet, Milliyet, Sabah, and Günaydın. Later, he became the editor for a children's magazine.

Family Life

In 1986, Sermet Erkin married Nuray, who is a folk music singer. They have a son named İsmail Sermet and a daughter named Piraye Nazlı. In 1998, he moved back to his hometown of Karamürsel.