In the summer of 1954, Arkady and his wife Lena came to Leningrad for a vacation. One day, they went for a walk along Nevsky Prospect, taking Boris with them. According to Boris Natanovich: “...during another vacation of AN, when he and his wife came to Leningrad. I think I even remember where it was: on Nevsky, near the Anichkov Bridge. The three of us were walking there, AN with BN, as usual, criticizing contemporary science fiction for its boredom, toothlessness, and plot stiffness, while Lenka listened and listened. Then her patience ran out, and she said: ‘If you know so well how to write, why don’t you write yourselves, instead of just threatening and boasting? Are you afraid?’ And the bet was immediately made.”

They bet a bottle of champagne. And so, “on a dare,” their first joint book, The Land of Crimson Clouds, was created. It was written with difficulty; the Strugatsky brothers had no idea how to work together. They planned it together but decided to write the draft separately. However, when Arkady had already finished the second part, Boris had not yet completed the first chapter.

According to legend, it was during that walk near the Anichkov Bridge in 1954 that Arkady’s wife challenged the Strugatsky brothers “on a dare.” They were criticizing contemporary science fiction, and Elena suggested they write something themselves if they were so smart. Thus began their joint creative work, which changed the world of science fiction. Petersburg plays an important role in the Strugatsky brothers’ work, being not only the place where they lived but also a source of inspiration for creating unique worlds and characters. A walk through the Petersburg sites connected with the life and work of the Strugatsky brothers allows one to immerse in the atmosphere of their works and feel the spirit of magical Petersburg.

Sources:

https://pantv.livejournal.com/3231422.html

https://project.orenlib.ru/virtualnaja-vystavka-sozdatel-mirov/Interesnye-sluchai-i-fakty.html