The happy end of tragic story that started back in 1953

This story goes back to 1953, a year of radical changes in the Soviet Union. Its roots are to be found in Aleksandrovka, a small Russian village lost in the forests of central Russia in Samara Region. The New Year was being celebrating at the 7-form school located in the homestead of a former Russian landowner. The holiday reached its peak when presents were handed to first-form pupils and I was among them. It should be said that it was the first festivity when we were handed presents after the devastating war and the dreadful famine. Our teacher lined us up on the stage and handed us presents wrapped up in grey paper whose content we started to eagerly examine…