Home Alone: Residents of a Small Russian Village

Inhabitants of the small village Akchikasy in the republic of Chuvashia pictured in their houses, where they live all alone for different reasons.


A winter night view of Akchikasy.

Granny Katya, 80, worked as a cowherd on a kolkhoz before retirement. Her husband died 30 years ago and her children live separately.

Granny Zoya, 79, used to be a milkmaid and a deputy of the regional Krasnochetaisky council. Her husband died 40 years ago and she has no children.

Uncle Valera, 57, used to work stoking fires. Sometimes he still works at different construction sites across the country. He was married three times. One of the wives died and the other two left. He has no children.

Uncle Gera, 52, worked as a clerk in a rural school. Now, like most of the men in the village, he works at different construction sites. He has never been married and has no children.

Granny Lera, 75, worked on a kolkhoz before retirement. She has never been married and has no children.

Uncle Kolya, 50, worked on a kolkhoz, then at a private farm, and now travels through different regions in search of a job. He has never been married and has no children.