In this book, Karin van Mourik shares stories from her eventful life. The multilingual resident of Freiburg and internationally active entrepreneur with four decades of experience in Russia recounts curious experiences, touching encounters, and everyday life from the fallen Soviet Union, from times of upheaval, and from Russia's recent past. Critical and open, with a lot of humor and empathy, she observes without judgment but with keen attention.

This creates a nuanced picture of a country and its people. At a time when German-Russian relations are under severe strain due to the war of aggression against Ukraine, the book makes a valuable attempt at understanding and demonstrates cultural exchange in practice. It becomes clear that dialogue is possible and indeed essential.