 If one leaves Moscow toward the east via Lyuberzy and continues along the P105 highway for about 60 km, one reaches the town Gzhel, which is famous for its stoneware. After another 200 km, one passes the town of Jegorevsk and finds oneself in Kasimov. Between 1450 and 1650, Kasimov was the seat of a Moscow-dependant khan and thus proudly called itself the "Kingdom of Kasimov". On the way, one also passes the place where the three regions of Moscow, Vladimir and Ryazan meet. |
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| This area is characterised by its
numerous rivers and lakes and belongs to the low plain of
Meshtshera, which gave its name to a national park in the
area. A little before Swyatoye Osero, one leaves the P105
to the right. Via Pyshlica, one reaches the little
village of Leka. There is not much left of the original
rural way of life; the attraction of the nearby city shows
its effects. A few small and poor households still exist.
Most of our conversational partners are alone at home;
the younger people have moved away. Yet, as our
recordings show, their language is still the language
"of old". Christian Sappok |
 A farmhouse in the village of Leka (Photo C. Odé) |