Personal collection of Saaya Byurbe at the National Archives of the Republic of Tuva

Abstract

The article examines documents from the personal fond of composer Saaya Manmyrovich Byurbe (1924-2012). Saaya Byurbe is a bright figure of the first generation of the Tuvan composers. His biography covers the most important stages in the history of Tuvan culture-pre-Soviet (PRT), Soviet and post-Soviet. The documents reveal the versatility of S. M. Byurbe's creative mind. Saaya Byurbès personal collection, now held at the National Archives (prior to 07.04.2020 known as the State Archives) of the Republic of Tuva, consists of documents donated by the composer himself and provided by his children-biographical documents, memoirs and creative materials. Among the latter are manuscripts of musical works in different genres (symphonic, choral works, opera "Chechek", and songs), posters from concerts and educational events, an essay on Tuvan musical instruments, the text of Saaya Byurbe's speech at the Congress of Tuvàs composers, a manual titled "Developing musical culture in Tuva", and another one, "Practical assistance in primary national schools". The personal collection also contains essays and literary works in different genres (poems, a ballad, a fairy tale in verse, a fable-cum-fairy tale, short stories, a piece of documentary fiction and a short sketch). A study of S.M. Byurbe's personal fund has allowed us not only to present and assess his contribution to Tuvan culture in a new light, but also to discover materials of great research value and of interest to researchers of Tuvan folklore, history and tradition.