The book is dedicated to the Kaluga period of Bulat Okudzhava’s life, when he, a young teacher, was just taking his first steps towards national fame. It was then that the basic principles of his work were laid down, to which he remained faithful throughout his life. The author of the book, Marat Gizatulin, appears here in the guise of a researcher and journalist, addressing both documents and living people who personally knew Okudzhava.