The old Russian village of Kovshovo in Gatchina near St. Petersburg. Early spring. The snow has already come down from the roofs of the houses. And only in places on the slopes of the hill and in the shade of trees are visible white spots. The yellow grass sparkles with gold of last years autumn. Wooden houses were snugly placed under the branches of tall green fir trees and slender birches. From the chimneys goes white smoke. At a low hedge near a haystack stands a woman in a bright red kerchief. Sunny spring day in the village of Kovshovo.