In Yalta Chekhov got personally acquainted with MaxIm GOrky. They knew each other by correspondence, shared their works. At that time Gorky was a young author. ‘You are a powerful talent’, - Gorky wrote to Chekhov. ‘An apparent, real, big talent, “, - responded Chekhov recognizing the innovation of Gorky”s writings. At the request of the young writer, Chekhov indicated the weak points in his short stories helping Gorky with that criticism.
The first meeting in Yalta allowed verifying the long-distance evaluations and impressions. The meeting strengthened their mutual sympathy that developed into a close friendship. Gorky said “It looks that you are the first free man that I have ever seen who does not worship anything”. And Chekhov wrote to FyOdor BAtyushkov: “I don”t like all his writings but there are things that I like very, very much, and I am certain that Gorky is cut of the same cloth as all artists are. True character”.
Among Chekhov’s contacts in Yalta there was the academician NikodIm KondakOv, an archaeologist and a historian. In 1888–1892 he participated in Chersonese excavations, fell in love with the South Coast of Crimea and upon retirement, spent most of the year in Yalta. In 1899 Yalta celebrated the centenary of the birth of Alexander Pushkin. Kondakov was among those who arranged the celebrations and also, took part in theatre performances. The ticket revenue was meant for the construction of a school. In the center of the display panel there is a picture of Chekhov together with Kondakov and his son.
29 April 1899, again in connection with the Pushkin centenary, a section of ‘polite literature’ was established in the Second Department of the Academy of Sciences. 17 January 1900, Chekhov accomplished 40 years. The day brought a happy piece of news — he was notified that on 8 January he was elected honorary member of the Academy.
The first meeting in Yalta allowed verifying the long-distance evaluations and impressions. The meeting strengthened their mutual sympathy that developed into a close friendship. Gorky said “It looks that you are the first free man that I have ever seen who does not worship anything”. And Chekhov wrote to FyOdor BAtyushkov: “I don”t like all his writings but there are things that I like very, very much, and I am certain that Gorky is cut of the same cloth as all artists are. True character”.
Among Chekhov’s contacts in Yalta there was the academician NikodIm KondakOv, an archaeologist and a historian. In 1888–1892 he participated in Chersonese excavations, fell in love with the South Coast of Crimea and upon retirement, spent most of the year in Yalta. In 1899 Yalta celebrated the centenary of the birth of Alexander Pushkin. Kondakov was among those who arranged the celebrations and also, took part in theatre performances. The ticket revenue was meant for the construction of a school. In the center of the display panel there is a picture of Chekhov together with Kondakov and his son.
29 April 1899, again in connection with the Pushkin centenary, a section of ‘polite literature’ was established in the Second Department of the Academy of Sciences. 17 January 1900, Chekhov accomplished 40 years. The day brought a happy piece of news — he was notified that on 8 January he was elected honorary member of the Academy.
