Not far from Moscow, between the ancient cities of Vladimir and Ryazan, the forest region is widely spread. It is called Meshchera. Like a sea surf, pine forests are noisy here, the thickets of dense spruce trees darken twilight, and the bright greenery of birch groves is permeated with the sun. Forest glades seem to be showered with yellow-purple flowers of Ivan da Marya, punchy carnation stars and golden caps of St. John's wort. Behind the edge of aspen and black alder lurk unstable peat swamps overgrown with crimson, blueberry and moss, and dry sandy islands rise above the swamps in some places. It was in these wild places among the forests and swamps that a small town with the fabulous name Gus-Khrustalny rose. Famous glassmakers, glassblowers and diamond grinders live there.