Maxim Gorky attached particular importance to communication between writers and supported aspiring and talented authors. In his youth, he lived in Kazan and dreamed of going to the local university, so later on he closely observed the development of Tatar literature and culture.
In the summer of 1929, Maxim Gorky organized a big excursion trip for Tatar writers, journalists and artists along a carefully planned itinerary: Astrakhan — Makhachkala — Baku — Tbilisi — Batumi — Yalta — Simferopol — Kharkiv — Moscow — Kazan. The travelers later confessed that this trip brought them great experience and inspiration.
On their way home, the writers met with Gorky in Moscow, and this moment is depicted in a painting by the Kazan artist Alexey Burlay. Maxim Gorky, along with the playwright Vladimir Kirshon and novelist Alexey Novikov-Priboy, talked to a group of Tatar writers, including Galimzhan Nigmati, Gumer Gali, Sharif Kamal, Khadi Taktash, Karim Tinchurin, Adel Kutuy, Kavi Najmi, Mirsay Amir, and Sarvar Adgamova.
Five years later, Tatar writers attended the First All-Union Congress of Soviet Writers, which was held in Moscow from August 17 to September 1, 1934. The congress was attended by over 600 delegates from different republics and countries. The meeting resulted in the founding of the Union of Writers and the adopting of socialist realism as the main genre.
The same year, Maxim Gorky participated in the establishment of the Union of Writers of the Tatar Republic, which still exists to this day. It aims to preserve the cultural legacy of Tatarstan, support young writers, strengthen international friendship and promote cooperation with the Union of Writers of Russia.
The displayed painting was created by Alexey Burlay — a member of the Union of Artists of the USSR and the Kazan Association “Tatarsky Khudozhnik” (Tatar Artist). This is one of his most important works and is distinguished by its clearly arranged composition, precise drawing, and realistic and emotional depiction of people having a conversation.
Maxim Gorky was a brilliant public speaker and could express his thoughts in a vivid and convincing manner, which is accurately portrayed by the artist. The painting was commissioned by the Alexey Gorky Museum in Kazan, currently known as the Alexey Gorky and Feodor Chaliapin Museum. It is part of the exhibition collection called “Writer — Era — Hero. Gorky’s Life and Creative Journey”.
