March 9-10, 2005 – The official delegation of the U.S. Embassy in Russian Federation, headed by Alexander Vershbow, U.S. Ambassador to Russia and his spouse, Lisa Vershbow visited Rostov Oblast. Trade and economic ties between Don region and United States, cooperation in the areas of education, information technology were the main topics on the agenda.

The city of Taganrog was also on the official program of Lisa Vershbow, the First Lady of the American Embassy, on March 10, 2005. Mrs. Vershbow visited the main attractions, especially the memorial sites to Anton Chekhov, since Vershbow family has a special relationship to this Russian writer. “Our son Benjamin has literally grown up on Chekhov’s plays”, told the wife of the American Ambassador. “Theater has become his passion from childhood and later on he studied theatrical art at the university. For Benjamin and for all of us, the name of Anton Chekhov has a very special meaning. I visited Anton Chekhov’s grave at the Novodevichie Cemetery in Moscow with my elder son Benjamin, and now I have come to the birthplace of the greatest writer.”

On her tour around the city, Lisa Vershbow was accompanied by Mayor Fedyanin, Vice-Mayor Lipovenko and Foreign Officer Mirgorodskiy. After the tour, a press conference was organized at the Alferaki Palace, where Mrs. Vershbow shared her impressions of the visit: “Anton Chekhov is known all around the world, all Chekhov’s plays are known to the American public, but it’s in his home city that I was able to more deeply feel Chekhov as a man, as a personality.” Mrs. Vershbow has seen the favorite seat of Anton Chekhov at the Taganrog Drama Theater, sat at Anton Chekhov’s bench in Gymnasium, and the outbuilding where Anton Chekhov was born, being genuinely amazed and touched by how a family consisting of eight people could fit into such a small house. “It was also interesting to learn that although Anton Chekhov’s father wasn’t a successful merchant, he invested a lot into education of his children -I am very happy I had this opportunity of visiting your wonderful city. Thank you so much for your warm welcome!” said Lisa Vershbow.