Actually, the question received recently from Frank, who is currently somewhere in the neighborhood, sounded this way:
I am very interested in contacting some of the wonderful khomus craftsmen from Yakutia, especially Innokenty N. Gotovtsev. It seems that NONE of these guys have email contact information. Do you have any advice for me?
I would like to meet him in order to purchase a khomus directly from him. If I have the opportunity to meet him in person, it would be great because i could see/play the khomus(es) before making a costly purchase.
Well, I found the answer by pure accident.
When received a request, I had two ways to find the famous Yakut khomus maker, Innokenty Gotovtsev, even three:
1. To call the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).
If anyone is interested, here is its contact information, tel. +7 (4112) 42-11-63, fax +7 (4112) 42-12-48. But it will be much better to dial the arts department number +7 (4112) 42-40-07. The latter number is very useful, by this tel you can find any famous culture worker.
2. To call a friend of mine, Albina Degtyareva. She is the world-known khomus players band “Ayarkhaan” (http://ayarkhaan.blogspot.com). She knows all local khomus craftsmen.
3. To visit Yakutsk Jew’s-harp Music Museum. Inhere you can see a huge amount of rare, unique Jew’s-harps and instruments.
Address: 33 Kirov Street, 3rd floor, tel. +7 (4112) 42-86-75. Open from 9 am till 4 pm. With a break for lunch, 1-2 pm. An entry ticket costs 100 rubles (for international visitors) and 50 rubles (for locals).
Besides, visitors can buy well-known masters’ khomuses at the museum store. And if any, one may ask for masters’ contact information.
Well, that’s what I planned to try in order to seek Innokenty N. Gotovtsev. But I found him in a very unexpected way.
Two days ago I traveled to the settlement of Namzy, northward from Yakutsk, one hour by a car. I went there with young Polish researchers. We visited the museum of the Namsky Academy of Arts (Намская педогагическая академия). And a guide said “Here you can see khomuses made by Mr. Gotovtsev’s apprentices.” I was stuck. “You mean Innokenty Nikitich Gotovtsev, don’t you?” I asked. “Yes. Mr. Gotovtsev is an institute tutor,” he said. I uttered “Oh!”
Then I told him all the story and explained why I was so happy to hear the master’s name. The local just said “Innokenty Nikitich is a tutor of Namsky Academy of Arts. And he is available all the year around and here only, except summer vacations.”
When I returned to Yakutsk, I received a call from… Mr. Gotovtsev, who asked “Is it you who looked for me?”
Hehe. That’s how happened. Well, if anyone wants to meet the famous khomus maker, just visit or call Namsky Academy of Arts by +7 (41162) 41217. He works there daily, from September till May. Actually, he is in Namzy right now and doesn’t plan to travel out till autumn.
Unfortunately, I can’t share his personal mobile number. That’s the private information, you know.
Similar Posts:
- Where to download the Yakut folk songs & music?
- Canadian 4wd travellers about their 5-day trip Vladivostok – Yakutsk. They plan to made it to Magadan.
- An English-speaking guide wanted?
- Long Walk Plus Expedition: Walking up the Lena River from Yakutsk… to Calcutta, India
- How to get entry permit for visiting the frontier zone in Yakutia?
