The city of Kineshma in Ivanovskaya Oblast stretches for more than 15 kilometres along the bank of the Volga River. The town’s almost thousand-year history began when the Finno-Urgic Merya tribe settled in the area. Initially Kineshma was a small fishing village, but today it is the second largest city in the region. The city’s historic architecture serves as a reminder of the great people that built Russia and Kineshma played a role in the lives of many of these outstanding cultural figures. This city on the bank of the Volga River attracted, fascinated, and inspired writers, composers and artists to do their best work. One of the city’s most important figures of all was playwright Alexander Ostrovsky, who lived in Kineshma for over 13 years. There he served in the office of the magistrate, solving disputes between peasants and landowners. These events then served as the basis of the plots of many of his plays, which have come to gain success in countries around the world, as well as in the local theatre, which was named in his honour.