In 1919, a notable directive came from Vladimir Lenin addressed to Evgeny Chirikov, urging him to depart: “Evgeny Nikolaevich, it’s time for you to leave. While I admire your talent, your presence is becoming troublesome to me. If you choose not to comply, I’ll have no option but to take measures against you.” Consequently, Chirikov found himself expelled from Russia in 1920.
Born into a modest noble family on July 24 (August 5), 1864, Chirikov’s early life was marked by frequent moves due to his father’s official duties in the Kazan and Simbirsk provinces. Initially pursuing studies at Kazan University in the Faculty of Law, he later switched to the Faculty of Mathematics. The year 1887 proved significant as both Chirikov and Lenin faced expulsion and exile to Nizhny Novgorod for their involvement in riots. It was during this period that Chirikov resided in Kholodny Lane. His reputation as a figure of prominence during the late 19th and early 20th centuries soared, earning him comparisons to literary giants like Chekhov and Gorky.
The house in Komarovo, which features prominently in the narrative, became the property of Valentina Chirikova (nee Iolshina), the writer’s wife, starting in 1907.
Around 1916, the Chirikov family sold their property to Anna Nikolaevna Petrovskaya, the wife of another local summer resident, Court Counselor Leonid Konstantinovich Petrovsky, who served as an official for special assignments in the St. Petersburg detective police. Despite reports from current neighbors suggesting that the house received the status of a monument, it remains unoccupied, although it remains in a suitable condition.
In 1920, Chirikov’s expulsion from Russia marked a turning point. Abroad, he continued to write and rose to prominence as one of the most celebrated authors of the Russian emigration.
The future of these pre-revolutionary houses, including Chirikov’s former residence, hangs in uncertainty. Lacking government support for restoration efforts, the hope rests on the current owners’ ability to muster the strength and resources necessary to preserve these historic homes in their true form.
