KATANOV'S SCIENTIFIC TRAVEL TO SIBERIA AND EASTERN TURKESTAN (1889 - 1892)

Professor N.F. Katanov is one of the most prominent national scientists, representatives of the Russian science, education and culture of XIX-XXI century. His life and legacy reflected important developments and trends in the national and global oriental and Turkic studies. The N.F. Katanov's scientific, pedagogical and enlightenment activities are an indisputable evidence of academic, scientific and educational achievements of the Russian and European Turkological science, development of the national humanitarian studies and scientific schools of XIX - beg. of XX century. Unfortunately, the phenomenon of his personality and heritage in the history of domestic and foreign oriental and Turkic studies, history of science and culture of the peoples of Russia is poorly understood and little known to the wider public, especially to young people. The N.F. Katanov's biography and heritage present academic and in particular scientific and educational interest. His life and work should not be seen only in relation to the history of the domestic and European oriental studies. The broad socio-political and socio-cultural context of development of the oriental (Turkic) studies and the Russian society and state in the second half of XIX - first quarter of.. century should be also taken into account. The N.F. Katanov's life and scientific activities in general and the period of study at the St. Petersburg University (1884-1888), special expedition to South Siberia and Eastern Turkestan (1889-1892) and teaching experience in Kazan (1894-1922) in particular will be linked to a comprehensive study of languages, traditional and new forms of economic and social, everyday life, folklore and spiritual life of the Turkic peoples of Sayano-Altai, Xinjiang, Volga and Ural regions. This article provides an overview and assessment of the research expedition undertaken by N.F. Katanov to Siberia and Eastern Turkestan.