HE WAS A REAL MASTER

Abstract

Episodes of communication with the famous Slavist Professor N. Kondrashov at the end of the 1960s-1980s are described in the documentary essay. The author recalls the first meeting with the scientist and shares reflections on N. Kondrashov’s large-scale linguistic identity. The breadth of knowledge, unique abilities of a polyglot, high professional level and originality of ideas and works of N. Kondrashov are especially noted. The story about the linguist’s interest in the traditions of the Prague linguistic school and the works of later generations of Czech Slavists has occupied a separate place in the article. The author draws attention to personal traits when talking about informal meetings and conversations with N. Kondrashov and Professor I. Vasilenko. Social and scientific support and assistance of N. Kondrashov in philological searches at different stages of the author’s biography are shown with factual accuracy, sweet irony, and grateful memory to the teacher of more than one generation of Slavists of our country. The final chord of the article that people like Nikolay adorn our lives testifies to a rare cultural phenomenon of the personality of Professor N. Kondrashov in the circle of historical and scientific personology and linguistic discoveries of the 20th century.

Keywords

• N. Kondrashov
• Slavistics
• personality in history
• linguistic tradition
• language and culture
• historical memoirs