The Russian Geographical Society and "Komsomolki" are following in the footsteps of a notable author, as their expedition progresses.
Anton Chekhov, the renowned Russian playwright and short-story writer, is taking centre stage once more as a modern expedition is set to retrace his historic journey to the Island of Sakhalin. This expedition, organised by the Russian Geographical Society, is a commemoration of the 165th anniversary of Chekhov's birth and the 135th anniversary of his trip to the remote penal colony.
In the spring of 1890, Chekhov embarked on a journey across Russia, which would take him 80 days to reach the Island of Sakhalin, the largest island of Russia. Upon arrival, he spent three months exploring and documenting the penal colony, its prisons, and the lives of the convicts and settlers. The result of his journey was the book of travel notes, "The Island of Sakhalin," a work that is considered one of the most un-Chekhovian of all his works.
"The Island of Sakhalin" is not a work of fiction but a detailed account of Chekhov's observations, numbers, descriptions, and analyses of the structure of the Russian penal colony. It resembles a vast journalistic investigation more than a traditional piece of literature. The reissued version of this book will feature modern photographs of significant places visited by Chekhov, offering a unique blend of history and contemporary imagery.
The modern expedition, however, will not be a long-term journey like Chekhov's original trip. It will last only two weeks, with the group returning to share their impressions of present-day Sakhalin. A documentary film will also be shown, capturing the journey and the experiences of the modern explorers.
During his time on Sakhalin, Chekhov conducted a census of the island's inhabitants, recording about 10,000 individuals. He visited and explored many prisons and penal colonies on the north and south of the island. His book, a testament to his keen eye for detail and compassion for humanity, remains a valuable historical document today.
As the modern expedition sets sail, it promises to shed new light on Chekhov's un-Chekhovian work and offer a fascinating glimpse into the Island of Sakhalin, then and now. The journey, much like Chekhov's original, is sure to be a captivating exploration of history, humanity, and the enduring power of storytelling.
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