The forms of intelligent life are infinitely diverse, but even in the deepest corners of the Cosmos, the inhabitants of unknown planets are waiting for Contact, mutual understanding, and love—this is the main idea of the novels, novellas, and stories of the Ekumen (Ekumene). There you will meet winged cats and interstellar ships, weapons faster than light and ancient swords, mad blind angels and “word-eaters,” underground forges and solar elves. The heroes of these works are travelers. Their main goal is, on distant unknown planets, to find themselves, recover their lost memory, rediscover the will to live, and experience love. Only by passing through many trials of strength and faith will each of them earn the right to the name of a Human.