VARVARA
GOES HOME
88 year old Varvara lived alone in her small home in Moldavia, Northern Romania all of her life, until her house began to crumble five years ago and she had to abandon it. Varvara was self sufficient, growing her own crops selling the milk and cheese from her cow and made her own rugs. The little house had no running water - which was collected from the local village well ( as it still is ) with electricity only installed shortly before she had to leave. Varvara was rescued by her daughter & son-in-law, who live a days drive away in the south, living there with her family ever since. In August she was taken back for a emotional visit to see the old place, the first time since she had left and quite possibly for the last time
Varavara sits in the garden in front of her old home. She is upset at the overgrown state of her land as her neighbours have not kept their promise to look after it in her absence
Varvara's old friend and neighbour -Marioara, has come to pay her a visit
Marioara & Varvara. August 2019.
Her small bedroom is almost as she left it
The old stove not only provided hot food & water but also the homes heating during the long and freezing winters of this region
Varvara is saddened by what she has found and seeks solace under her favourite walnut tree, always her favourite spot
Varvara refuses the offer
Mariora invites her old neighbour to her home nearby
Varvara closes the gate to her old home - for the last time.
Published on International Women's Day 2020
Thank you to Mihaela & Mona - Varvara's grand daughters, without whom these pictures would not have been possible.
To Varvara , thank you, it was such an enormous pleasure to have known you.
