Visit of the Northern Forum and 'Volnoe Delo' Foundation Delegation to the Tattinsky Ulus: Three Days of Immersion into the History and Culture of Taatta

Visit of the Northern Forum and "Volnoe Delo" Foundation Delegation to the Tattinsky Ulus: Three Days of Immersion into the History and Culture of Taatta

From June 22 to 24, an authoritative delegation from the Northern Forum of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and the Oleg Deripaska "Volnoe Delo" Charitable Foundation paid a working visit to the Tattinsky Ulus (District).

The purpose of the three-day trip, conducted as part of an ethnographic research project, was to study the region's unique natural potential, its sacred sites, and the distinct cultural traditions of the Sakha people.

The working group included Olga Sanarova, Director of Special Projects at the "Volnoe Delo" Foundation and Chair of the Organizing Committee of the Russian Partnership for Climate Conservation; Anna Logua, Manager of the Foundation; and Erkhaan Nikolaev, Project Manager of the Northern Forum Secretariat.

Day 1: Paleontology and Natural Monuments

The first day of the expedition was dedicated to exploring the natural wealth of the ulus. Starting their visit in the village of Bulun, the guests headed to the "Biven" (Tusk) ecological and paleontological base in the Kuchaayi area. The head of the base, Petr Maksimov, demonstrated unique finds from paleontological excavations.

The delegation then assessed the tourism potential of the "Beeley" base (headed by Evgeny Nikolaev) and concluded the day at the famous Mammoth Mountain-a key scientific and tourist site in the district.

Day 2: Visiting Mandar Uus and the Secrets of Yakut Blacksmithing

The second day was marked by a deep immersion into the spiritual culture of Yakutia. The delegation visited the village of Bayaga, where they met with a living legend-the folk master Boris Neustroev (Mandar Uus). At his ethno-complex near the Mogol Urasa (traditional conical tent), the guests took part in a sacred Algys (a blessing ritual).

The program continued at the Bayaga Museum of Local Lore and the "Mandar Uus" Blacksmithing Museum. The delegation members witnessed firsthand the process of forging a Yakut knife, while the master himself shared the philosophy behind the mystical connection between a blacksmith and the elements of fire and iron.

Day 3: Environmental Projects by Lyceum Students and the Treasures of Cherkyokh

The final day of the visit, June 24, began with a tour of the "Taatta" Literary Museum, which reveals the deep historical ties between the Russian and Yakut peoples.

An important stop on the itinerary was the A.E. Mordinov Tattinsky Lyceum. Here, Olga Sanarova and the delegation members spoke with young researchers who authored the project "Lake Khadaayi-In Safe Hands." The school students shared insights from their hydrological research, which had previously received significant recognition, earning grants from the Timchenko Foundation worth 500,000 and 700,000 rubles.

The culmination and final chord of the three-day stay in the ulus was a visit to the famous Cherkyokh Historical and Memorial Museum ("Open-Air Museum"). The guests took a detailed look at the rich history and wooden architecture of Yakutia and held a warm meeting with the museum director to discuss the preservation of the region's historical memory.

Following the productive three days of work in Taatta, the delegation from the Northern Forum and the "Volnoe Delo" Foundation departed for Yakutsk to review their findings and shape future joint humanitarian and environmental initiatives.