By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: The Russian Centre for Science, Education and Culture organized a special literary session to commemorate the renowned Russian playwright, short story writer, and author Anton Chekhov. The event was presided over by Dr. Shahid Hasan, Chairman of the Russian Centre.
Among the distinguished speakers were Prof. Dr. Ashraf Nizami, Dr. Iftikhar Bukhari, Prof. Iftikhar Rasool Sheikh, Imtiaz-ul-Haq, and Dr. Arifa Subh Khan.
Prof. Dr. Ashraf Nizami shed light on Chekhov’s life and literary journey, stating that Chekhov spent much of his life in poverty and under difficult circumstances. He emphasized that although Chekhov was neither a socialist, a communist, nor a Marxist, he was a sincere sympathizer of the poor and a staunch advocate of the underprivileged. Chekhov consistently opposed exploitation and unjust social systems. Prof. Nizami observed that many of the social issues prevalent during Chekhov’s era continue to exist today and are vividly reflected in his writings. He further remarked that the Soviet Union’s recognition of Chekhov as one of its literary heroes was a testament to his outstanding contributions to literature.
Dr. Iftikhar Bukhari described Chekhov as one of the greatest literary figures who, despite his relatively short life, produced timeless works of exceptional quality that earned him enduring fame. He noted that Chekhov possessed a profound understanding of human psychology, authored immortal plays, and that his works have been translated into numerous languages around the world.
Prof. Iftikhar Rasool Sheikh stated that Chekhov’s plays and short stories portray the everyday lives of ordinary Russians, particularly those belonging to the lower strata of society, highlighting their hardships, deprivation, and the social inequalities of the time. He described Chekhov as the pioneer of the modern Russian short story and one of the brightest stars in the literary world.
Dr. Arifa Subh Khan also reviewed Chekhov’s remarkable literary achievements and paid rich tribute to his invaluable contribution to world literature.
Russian language instructor Imtiaz-ul-Haq presented an Urdu translation of one of Chekhov’s plays, which was warmly appreciated by the audience.
In his presidential address, Dr. Shahid Hasan, Chairman of the Russian Centre, highlighted various dimensions of Russian literature and emphasized the significance of learning the Russian language for gaining a deeper understanding of Russia’s rich literary and cultural heritage. He informed the audience that the Russian Centre offers Russian language courses, enabling students and scholars to explore Russian literature and culture in their true spirit.
0The event was attended by writers, poets, journalists, academics, and a large number of distinguished men and women from various walks of life.
