Ust-Kamenogorsk, East Kazakhstan, is home to a distinctive house museum established by local craftsman Yuri Kostanyants, who previously served as a helicopter commander in civil aviation and now carves Kazakh khans (rulers), batyrs (legendary warriors), and scenes from the history of the Great Steppe from wood by hand. Kursiv Lifestyle took a closer look at the former pilot’s hobby.
Kostanyants turned to woodcarving after the collapse of the Soviet Union, when he had to leave aviation behind. Later, joinery became his life’s work. Currently, Kostanyants’s collection houses hundreds of works dedicated to the history of Kazakhstan.
The museum itself resembles a set from a historical film more than a conventional exhibition hall. In the darkened space, the illuminated wooden figures almost appear alive, including Genghis Khan, Jochi Khan, Kaiyr Khan (Inalchuq), and Kasym Khan.
The craftsman said he aims not only to capture the figures’ appearances, but also their characters, fates, and inner struggles. For example, Kostanyants portrays Genghis Khan not merely as a conqueror, but as a person who managed to embody both greatness and inner calm.
One of the artist’s most extensive series consists of compositions dedicated to Kazakh khans and the descendants of Genghis Khan. He has been working on these projects for more than 20 years.
Kostanyants’s works were even exhibited in Paris in 2014. However, many locals are still unaware of the museum.
Over the years, the museum has survived two fires that destroyed many works. However, Kostanyants restored the collection and continued doing what he loves.
Today, several elderly craftsmen work alongside him, while Kostanyants teaches children the art of woodcarving free of charge. What concerns him most is that there is still no one who could carry on this work in the future.
The house museum is located at 34 Boris Alexandrov Street in Ust-Kamenogorsk.
