working man’s lower part. And so, in the end, it was decided that it had to be full-length. After that they sent another paper to Alma-Ata with a plea: ‘So, so and so, send us a sculptor, and not some run-of-the-mill one, but the very best one. A week later two men arrived from Alma-Ata. The head of the propaganda and agitation department was pleased to say they would be received. ‘Let them in,’ Zhanaidarov said, adjusting his tie. Two men entered the office with eyes as deep as a well in the desert. One’s hair was braided into pigtails; the other’s completely covered his shoulders. At the sight of them, Zhanaidarov shuddered. After shaking hands, the two noticed that Zhanaidarov was looking at them incredulously, even squeamishly, and handed over their passports. ‘Durus,’ said Zhanaidarov, clearly wishing to get rid of them as soon as possible. ‘Get on with it.’ ‘When do you need it?’ Zhanaidarov looked at the head of the depart- ment, and asked ‘When is it due?’ ‘By autumn,’ said the head of the department. ‘By the twenty-fourth of October. That’s when the centenary celebrations are scheduled. Will you be able to do it by that date? ‘Easy,’ said the one with the pigtails. ‘A piece of cake!’ he chimed in, his hair falling down over his shoulders. Immediately a contract was concluded and signed with the sculptors and an ad- vance was given. The hardest part started now. What should the statue be like? Is it enough to take the figure of a worker and cast it, or should it be tanned? Should the portrait be a resemblance of someone, or can it be a common type? Or should it be a close relative, a descendant of the first tanner? Maybe someone from the local community? Someone off the street? Somewhere in these parts or from far away? From here? In fact, what was the name of this pioneer in the tanning business? When was he born, when did he die? What was his appearance, his character, his demeanor? And so on and so forth… While the two sculptors were figuring it all out, two more months passed. The master’s direct descendants were also found. It turned out that they live in the area, and one of them even lived near the district com- mittee. They also found out the name of the first

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