January 29, 2009, was the birth sesquicentennial of the great Russian writer, Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, who has impacted the course of world literature. стр. 78 by Vladimir VASILYEV, RAS Corresponding Member, RAS Academic Council "History of World Culture", deputy president Anton Chekhov made his start as the author of feuilletons, satirical sketches, burlesques and short stories which he signed Antosha Chekhonté. The key motifs of his works concerned the ideological quests of Russian intellectuals, the intelligentsia, and people's soul searchings: some chafing at philistine modes of life, and others gulping down the hard way the trivial and vulgar little nothings of life. His drama pieces and plays are remarkable for peerless ingenuity suffused with the poignant drama effect, down to the expressionist grotesque. Their level of social and artistic typification is truly staggering. His research and public activities were rewarded: in 1900 Anton Chekhov was elected honorary member of the St. Petersburg Imperial Academy of Sciences. The significance of his works is indisputable. We can only wonder how prescient, forward-thinking he was. Today, many decades after, his writings are still relevant, they still have a topical ring responding to the live issues of our days. They are still modern. This idea keynoted the jubilee meetings and functions commemorating the lifework of our classic. It was voiced at symposia and conferences... at festivals and new stage performances... at museums, libraries and archival expositions... in radio and television broadcasts. His grateful descendants cherish the memory of their great compatriot; acting with a willing spirit, year after year, on what Chekhov wished as he told his friends and fellow writers, and as it was recorded by Pyotr Bykov (1843-1930), an eminent man of letters and bibliographer: "In time all my works shall see the light..." Still in Chekhov's lifetime, between 1899 and 1902, t ... Читать далее