The impact of Chekhov’s Far Eastern journey revealed at the National Centre RUSSIA in Primorye
A lecture titled "Chekhov in Vladivostok. Marking the 135th anniversary of the writer’s journey to the Far East" was held on 8 October at the branch of the National Centre RUSSIA in the Primorye region. The event shed light on Anton Chekhov’s extensive 1890 journey to the Far East and its influence on his literary works.
As noted by the lecturer — historian and local studies researcher, member of the Amur Region Study Society, and author of the project "Explanations" — Sergei Kornilov, this seven-month journey remains insufficiently explored.
"Chekhov’s trip to the Far East is underestimated, especially by European Chekhov scholars, who often have little understanding of this important period of his life. What he did in Vladivostok and how these impressions were reflected in his writing remain largely a blank spot in Chekhov studies," said the researcher.
Sergei Kornilov described the writer’s route, noting that Chekhov initially planned an extensive journey covering Sakhalin, Vladivostok, Japan, and China. The cholera epidemic forced him to adjust his plans, yet after completing his work on Sakhalin, Chekhov still visited Vladivostok. He spent four days there before embarking on his long journey back via Hong Kong, Singapore, and Ceylon.
The lecture paid special attention to how Chekhov’s Far Eastern impressions were reflected in his works. The speaker highlighted an entire "Far Eastern Cycle" of pieces written soon after the trip. It included not only the documentary work "Sakhalin Island" but also literary works such as the short story "Gusev", and the novellas "The Duel" and "An Anonymous Story". In particular, the action of "Gusev" unfolds on a steamer strikingly similar to the one on which Chekhov himself travelled.
