Leonsk is a city on the Volga, not far from Astrakhan. It arose in the 18th century, the Germans came there, and then the Italians from Venice, aristocrats with large families. The Venetians brought with them special animals that became a symbol of the city - and its internal freedom. The Leon residents managed to defend their free principles even under Soviet rule. But in our time, when the vertical of power demands submission and penetrates everywhere, the Leonites have much less chance of surviving. The story is told from the perspective of an old German who has lived in Leonsk for the last twenty years. He has a light style, the tragedy of the city is described emotionally, but without hysteria or exaggeration. This is the first novel by the famous music critic, translator and poet Alexei Parin.