July 15, 2023 - the home city of Anton Chekhov paid tribute to 119 years since the day the world-famous playwright and short-story writer passed away in Badenweiler, Germany.

On this day residents of Taganrog traditionally participate in the flower laying ceremony at the foot of Chekhov monument.

The ceremony brought together Taganrog City Council President and City Executive Inna Titarenko, Deputy City Manager for Social Affairs Irina Golubeva, director of Taganrog Group of Museums Yelizaveta Lipovenko, Taganrog Local Government officials, City Council deputies, students, residents and guests of Taganrog. In their speeches, director of Chekhov Gymnasium Natalya Lisitsyna, chief of Taganrog Central Library System Tatyana Mikheeva, director of Chekhov Memorial Literature Museum Victoria Kondratyeva, and actor of Taganrog Chekhov Theater Roman Pylaev drew attention of the public to the grandeur of Chekhov's character and permanence of his works.

"Today is the day of Chekhov's memory, and it seems to be a great cause to spare a thought for his remarkable cultural impact on the Russian culture and the culture of our Taganrog. Today we all remember how much Chekhov did for us, and we understand that genius is immortal. Let us be worthy of his memory!" said Taganrog City Council President and City Executive Inna Titarenko.

Among the Chekhov-focused events followed the flower-laying ceremony were movie screenings, workshops, sightseeing tours, etc. For example, the literary soiree "With Chekhov's Book in Our Garden" was held in the Taganrog Chekhov Public Library on July 15. The visitors had the opportunity to learn more about the different stages of Chekhov's life, watch performances on a number of his stories, and listen to the music of the composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, who enjoyed warm relations with Chekhov.

We would like to take the opportunity and once again invite you to participate in the 12th International Children's Art Contest "Anton Chekhov and Characters of his Works".