Chekhov’s “Cherry Orchard” Still Blooms in Iran

This article examines the influence of Russian literature and Anton Chekhov’s works on the development of Iranian literature and theater. It focuses on the play “The Cherry Orchard,” which remains popular in Iran more than a century after its creation. Particular attention is paid to the reception of Chekhov in Iranian culture. It demonstrates that Chekhov’s plays and short stories have been actively translated and studied in Iran since the last third of the 20th century and have had a significant impact on the development of realistic prose and the short story genre in Persian literature. The works of Iranian writers and playwrights Jamal-Zadeh, Sadegh Hedayat, Simin Daneshvar, and Naser Nayer-Mohammadi, who were directly influenced by Chekhov’s themes and artistic techniques, are examined. A comparative analysis is provided of the plays of Chekhov and Akbar Radi, known as the “Chekhov of Iranian theater,” revealing common features in their character systems.