Russian President Dmitry Medvedev joined some of the world's most famous playwrights and directors in commemorating Anton Chekhov's 150th Birth Anniversary in the southern Russian city of Taganrog -Chekhov's hometown.  A 3-day ceremony started last Friday, January 29th with over 500 VIP guests from around the world.  During the ceremony, President Medvedev noted that he had read all Chekhov's plays during his school years.  Russian directors Mark Zakharov, Andrey Konchalovsky, Oleg Tabakov, Rimas Tumanis and also Peter Shtein of Germany all praised Chekhov's enormous talent and great literary legacy.  The guests were greeted by Rostov Region governor Vladimir Chub, the region's Minister of Culture Svetlana Vasilieva and the Mayor of Taganrog Nikolay Fedyanin.  Thousands of Chekhov lovers enjoyed several staged plays, which were performed by both Moscow and local casts.  The celebration launched the official "Chekhov Year" announced by UNESCO.  Many theater festivals are scheduled throughout 2010 in Russia and abroad.  In the fall, an international Chekhov festival will take place in New York.