Kosta Khetagurov

A tall and rather thin highlander due to illness. His deep-set, kind eyes are dominated by two principles: wisdom and sadness. He has a well-groomed beard. Kosta can often be seen wearing Ossetian national dress:

1. The hat is somewhat reminiscent of a Kubanka, only it tapers towards the top and is not as large in size.
2. Beshmet is another element of outerwear, the distinctive feature of which is a stand-up collar.
3. A cherkeska is a special outer garment, similar to a caftan. It is sometimes worn with gazyrs.
4. Ron is a traditional Ossetian narrow belt made of leather or fabric. A dagger is an integral part of the outfit.
5. Bashlyk - a pointed hood made of white cloth, worn over the headdress if weather conditions require it.
6. A burka is a special sleeveless cloak made of felt. But it wasn't often seen on him.
7. Harem pants are loose-fitting trousers that are fastened at the waist, slightly gathered at the hips, and have a tightening element at the ankle.
8. And of course, knee-length leather boots.

Kind and selfless. Sympathetic. Extremely fair and deeply caring. Decent. Follows traditions and etiquette. Can joke when necessary, and also stand up for himself or his loved ones. Witty, cunning, responsible. Adores the works of Russian poets and writers. His favorite is Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov. And be careful out there! Don't hurt him. All highlanders have tempers!)

Kosta Levanovich Khetagurov is an Ossetian poet, playwright, publicist, ethnographer, painter, and public figure.

He was born on October 15, 1859, in the village of Nar, now in the Alagir district of North Ossetia. His father, Levan Elizbarovich, served in the Russian army as an ensign. His relationship with his father was not the warmest. He disapproved of his passion for poetry and painting. Kost's mother, Maria Gubaeva, died when he was about two years old. After her death, his father's relative, Chendze Dzaparova, took over his upbringing.

He was educated at the Vladikavkaz Gymnasium, the Stavropol Classical Gymnasium, and the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts (1881–1885). He was accepted at the age of 26. There, he received a stipend paid by the Kuban regional administration from the fines collected by the mountaineers. Costa was unable to graduate from the academy: in January 1884, the authorities stopped issuing the stipend, and the poet lacked his own funds. In the summer of 1885, Costa was forced to return to his father's house without completing his full course of study.

Khetagurov wrote extensively in Russian, contributing to many newspapers in the North Caucasus. In his works, the poet spoke out against the oppression of the peoples of the Caucasus and called on his fellow countrymen to embrace "the blessings of culture, to spiritually unite with their common homeland"—Russia. He was a champion of the fraternal unity of the peoples of the country.

Kosta Khetagurov died on April 1, 1906, in the village of Georgievsko-Osetinskoye due to progressive bone tuberculosis, which is said to have developed during his frequent exile...