Anton Chekhov dreamed to settle in Poltava
The name of the great writer and playwright Anton Pavlovich Chekhov is known probably to everyone in the world. But few know that the author of such immortal literary masterpieces as "The Cherry Orchard" and 
"Three Sisters" was in love with Poltava and even planned to settle here.
First visit of the writer to Poltava land was in June 1888, At that time, Anton Pavlovich was rest with his friends in Sumy. The writer was very interested in figure of the writer Nikolai Gogol. And so he decided to travel to Poltava, to be exact in Gogol places.
While the weather was wonderful. Anton Chekhov recalled: "One can give own soul to devil to have pleasure to look in clear night sky, the rivers and puddles reflecting a languorous, cranberry shades”. The writer visited Velyki Sorochyntsi, the birthplace of the author of "Evenings on a Farm near Dykanka", was very delighted by the views of Poltava. "Except nature, nothing impresses in Ukraine, as people's health, a high degree of peasant who is smart, and tuneful, and sober, and moral, and always hilarious" – wrote Chekhov after the trip.
During the journey through Myrhorod district the writer wished to buy a house here. Anton Pavlovich asked the people to find a homestead for him. But the purchase did not immediately occur. Chekhov wanted not only to settle near Myrhorod, but also to arrange meetings in his home with scholars, artists. The writer wanted the bohemian people to come to Poltava, visit him and work in the nature.
Anton Chekhov wished to buy a farm near the village of Khomutets Myrhorod County. It was very cozy here, beautiful land, meadows. But the playwright had not enough money to buy this beauty.
In 1891, Anton Pavlovich tried to buy a house in Mirgorod land. Writer’s health had already deteriorated badly by that time. The artist who was educated as a doctor, believed that the climate of the Poltava land would contribute to his recovery. He sent his sister Maria here for talks on buying a house with its owner S.K. Harting, son in law of I.M. Muraviyev-Apostol. But they did not come to terms. So the writer remained without estate in Poltava region.
Sister of Anton Chekhov recalled, as in childhood the future playwright showed interest for Ukrainian literature and knew perfectly Ukrainian. Often he stayed at his grandfather and grandmother, who was Ukrainian by birth, wore vyshivanka (embroidered shirt).
Being a boy Anton Pavlovich set plays at home. The first of them - "The Muscovite-Sorcerer" by Ivan Petrovych Kotliarevsky. Young Chekhov worked as a screenwriter, dresser, and it came him to hand. Talent of playwright established in the artist since his childhood and important role in it played Ukrainian plays. 
Subsequently, this hobby grew into business of whole life. Ukraine emerged in the stories "Step", "Happiness", "Pechenig", "In the home corner", “On the road”. Famous play "The Seagull" Chekhov found during his relationship with the Ukrainian actress Maria Zankovetska, who became the prototype of main character Nina Zaryechna.
During his writing career Chekhov got a stable circle of friends who were Ukrainians by birth. It included such novelists as Ignatiy Potapenko, Petro Serhiyenko, actress Lidia Yavorska, translator Tatiana Shchepkina-Kupernyk, musician Olexandr Ivanenko, family of landowner from Sumy Olexandra Lyntvaryova and poltavite Olexandr Smagin. The influence of Chekhov's talent experienced such writers as Olexandra Sudovschykova-Kosach, Mykhailo Kotsyubynsky, Borys Lazarevsky.
Anton Pavlovich felt a strong connection with the traditions of Nikolai Gogol. Chekhov and Gogol were similar in describing provincial life, adulation of officials. Gogol’s words, names of characters - Hlyestakov, Nozdryov, Korobochka, Sobakevych, Chichikov – can be often found in the letters of Anton Pavlovich.
In 1903 Anton Chekhov was invited to Poltava on the opening of the monument to Ivan Kotliarevsky, but because of ill health of playwright he could not come.
"Ukraine is close and dear to my heart. I love its literature, music and wonderful song, full of charming melodies. I love the Ukrainian people who gave the world such a titan as Taras Shevchenko", - wrote Chekhov.
