Vladimir Nabokov

NABOKV-L post 0007398, Wed, 15 Jan 2003 09:39:12 -0800

Subject
Fw: Fw: Montreux instructions for S. Aksenov & others from Dmitri
Nabokov
Date
Body
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sergej Aksenov" <sa354@cam.ac.uk>

> ----------------- Message requiring your approval (79
lines) ------------------
> Many thanks to respectable Brian Boyd and Dmitri Nabokov for their time
> and invaluable instructions. I will be looking forward to the fulfilling
> visit in he end of this week.
>
> Sergej
>
> On Wednesday, January 15, 2003, at 02:26 AM, D. Barton Johnson wrote:
>
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Dmitri Nabokov
> > To: 'don barton johnson'
> > Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 4:20 PM
> > Subject: Montreux instructions for S. Aksenov
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I was hurriedly starting this when Guide Brian’s version popped up. I’ll
> > leave in what may still be useful.
> >
> >
> >
> > My parents’ urn is buried at the Cimetière de Clarens, av. Rambert 27.
> > The cemetery s a 10’ taxi ride, 15’ by bus (ask the man to stop at the
> > Simmy T. Yare), or 25’ by foot as hiker Boyd suggests. Enter the gate on
> > Av. Rambert (opposite the gardener/florist). Walk straight, then take
> > your third right. The Nabokov tomb (which some people have trouble
> > finding) will be the third one on your left (modern, polished grey
> > granite). The gardener’s phone, in case you need further information, is
> > 021 964 46 33. If you are accosted by a strange Russian with a mystic’s
> > eyes who says he knows everything about Nabokov, decline (he is a fired
> > assistant soccer coach trying to make a fast franc).
> >
> >
> >
> > If you enter the Palace through the main, lakeside entrance from the
> > Grand-Rue, rather than the back courtyard (which was the principal entry
> > during many of the Nabokovs’ years there), you will find yourself in a
> > modern atrium where a posthumous statue of VN sculpted by the
> > Rukavishnikovs and presented to Montreux by Moscow stood until recently,
> > awaiting the completion of its permanent, park-like site across the
> > street.
> >
> >
> >
> > If you want a personalized reception, ask for the Director, my very good
> > friend Hans Wiedemann. Even though he came to the Palace when Father was
> > no longer there, he is touchingly proud to manage Nabokov’s former
> > residence, and named our floor of the Cygne wing “Étage Nabokov.” If he
> > is not there ask for Mme. Bigger, his Publicity Assistant and another
> > dear friend. If you would like to prepare your visit in advance, call
the
> > management at 021 962 1212 (you may be switched around and kept on hold,
> > but don’t give up). And say hello to head barman Antonio, who is one the
> > very few people still there who knew my father well. He will be either
at
> > the hotel bar or at Harry’s Club next door.
> >
> >
> >
> > The station restaurant at Caux is no longer run by my friend Helmut but
> > is still beautifully situated. Or stay on that little blue cog train up
> > to the Rochers-de-Naye (a bit over an hour from Montreux and a splendid
> > ride) where Father walked in summer and I ski in winter.
> >
> >
> >
> > If you get toLausanne(30’), visit VN’s wonderful butterfly collection at
> > the Cantonal Museum of Zoology, Palais de Rumine, Place Riponne. My
> > mother and I presented it to the museum in accordance with my father’s
> > wishes. It is kept as a separate collection and consists of 4323
> > specimens representing 80% of European species, plus many variants. You
> > should call ahead to arrange a visit. The previous director of the
museum
> > was a personal friend, and unfortunately I have not met the current one.
> > However, if you call the director and mention that I suggested it, I’m
> > sure he will be helpful. The number of the museum is 021 316 34 60.
> >
> >
>
>