Maksim, a young and promising ethnographer and postgraduate student, arrives in the village of Rusalino to collect old folklore songs, tales and traditions for his papers in 1993. It was Liuba, a student of the same college, who persuaded him to come to this village, because her aunt, Varvara, lives in Rusalino and the area is famous for having preserved many old songs and rites. The girl believes sincerely that their scientific journey will help them get closer, because she is incredibly in love with Maxim. Liuba does not even suspect that here, in Rusalino, Maksim will meet Rada, a Gypsy girl, who will steal his heart for the rest of his life.