Muscat, Oman – As part of the cultural program of the 29th Muscat International Book Fair, Russian author and historian Dmitri Streshnev delivered a compelling lecture on the 15th-century Russian merchant and explorer Afanasy Nikitin, shedding light on one of the earliest documented encounters between Russia and the Arabian Peninsula.
Streshnev, invited as an honored guest writer, presented his research into Nikitin’s extraordinary journey, which took place nearly three decades before the famed Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama charted a sea route to India. According to historical accounts, Afanasy Nikitin became the first known European to visit Muscat, offering a rare and early perspective on maritime routes linking Russia, Persia, India, and the Arabian Gulf.
About Afanasy Nikitin
Afanasy Nikitin (c. 1433–1472) was a Tver-born merchant and explorer who embarked on a legendary journey between 1466 and 1472, traveling from Russia through Persia and across the Indian Ocean to India. His travelogue, “The Journey Beyond Three Seas” (Khozhdenie za tri morya), is considered a landmark of Russian literature and historical travel writing. It remains one of the earliest European descriptions of India and the Islamic world, detailing not only trade routes but also religious, cultural, and social observations of the regions he passed through. Nikitin’s route included a passage through the Arabian Peninsula, including a stop in Muscat, thus placing him in Oman more than 28 years before Vasco da Gama’s expedition.
About Dmitri Streshnev
Dmitri Streshnev is a Russian writer, cultural historian, and expert in early Eurasian maritime exploration. Known for his deep archival work and engaging public lectures, he has authored several historical essays and biographical accounts that bridge East and West through forgotten narratives of trade and travel. His work often focuses on the lesser-known Slavic contributions to global exploration, emphasizing cross-cultural understanding and historical accuracy.
At the Muscat International Book Fair, Streshnev also participated in the unveiling of a 108-page commemorative book on shared maritime heritage between Russia and Oman, alongside a joint postage stamp marking 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Building Cultural Bridges
Streshnev’s lecture was met with strong interest from scholars, readers, and cultural historians, as it illuminated a historical connection between Russia and Oman that predates European colonial expansion. His visit and the accompanying cultural programming underscore Oman’s growing role as a hub for intercultural dialogue and historical inquiry.
