Recently, a Greek pensioner committed
suicide in an Athenian plaza; there he also left
a note attributing his decision to the country’s
failing economic state. In an effort to avoid
bankruptcy and obtain international monetary
help, Greece agreed to reduce pensions and
salaries and increase taxes starting in May of
2010. The 77-year-old pharmacist’s suicide has
sparked more intense public outcries, with many
vocalizing disbelief, sadness, and anger toward
a system that has left its people abandoned and
uncared for, especially the elderly.
France:
Adventurous Seniors Looking for New Alluring
Bodies for Intense Relationship (March 28,
2012)
(Article in
French)
Older people are buying more than half of new
Mercedes cars and sedans at a cost of over
18,000 euros. Indeed, 22 million people aged
50 and older are part of the automotive
buyer’s market. Of the 1.2 million passenger
cars sold in 2011, 55 percent of the
purchasers were seniors, totaling 660,000
vehicles. This population group also
represents 40 percent of the owners of 4
× 4’s, and attracts manufacturers
because 7 out of 10 seniors decide to buy
quickly, on average in three months.
Czech Republic:
Babylon, "Student Magazine for Seniors"
(March 27, 2012)
(Article in
French)
Petr Placák runs Babylon, a social and
cultural magazine distributed in Prague since
1992. Mainly distributed in graduate schools
and intended to open his readers to political
and cultural plurality, Babylon’s subtitle is
"student newsletter for seniors" because it
appears that after having read it, students
give the review to their grandparents. In
addition, the newspaper regularly invites
other figures of dissent to appear in its
columns, such as Šustrová Petruska, a
65 year-old signatory and spokesperson for
Charter 77.
France:
Reversion: How to Apply for your Pension?
(March 26, 2012)
(Article in
French)
In order to receive the pension to which the
widow is entitled, the concerned authorities
have to be reached because it is never
automatically assigned. Applications must be
submitted twice, once for the general pension
and once again for the complementary one. This
article details the procedures to follow after
the death of a spouse.
France:
Young Retirees Sharing Apartment (March 26,
2012)
(Article in
French)
If the nursing home does not attract you,
loneliness scares you, your income is low and
if the idea of living with your children does
not please you, why not try sharing a place?
Sharing a house or apartment between seniors
is a new phenomenon in response to isolation
and special needs faced by the elderly. Local
initiatives or websites can assist in finding
one or more roommates. Opportunities are
growing, and this system is becoming
increasingly popular. Read this article for
testimonials from happy roommates.
Russia:
Employers More and More Willing to Remove
Age Limit from New Job Openings (March 22,
2012)
(Article in
Russian)
Even though the job age in most demand in the
Russian market remains between 25 to 45 years
of age, in recent years more and more
companies are removing the age limits and
looking to hire a more experienced group of
people—those in the 45 plus age range.
England: TV Show About Sex Life of People
Over 70 Shocks (March 22, 2012)
(Article in
French)
Tracey Cox, sex expert of the morning show
“This Morning” broadcast on ITV in England, is
once again the target of critics. After
setting up a demonstration of vibrators and
sex toys designed for older people last
October, she has devoted her column to the
sexuality of those aged 70 and older,
including giving tips and tricks. An elderly
couple was on set to "mimic" the positions
recommended by the host, which didn’t please
some viewers.
France:
Employment
Rate of Older Workers Finally Taking Off
(March 20, 2012)
(Article in
French)
France has tried over the past ten years to
promote the employment of older workers in
order to increase its rate, including by the
implementation of a series of measures in
their favor. Even if they did--as President
Nicolas Sarkozy stated--help lower the
unemployment rate for older workers, the
Research Department of the Ministry of Labor
reminds us that their impact has been limited.
France:
"Zero Social Tax for Seniors’ Employment"
Promised Again by Sarkozy (March 19, 2012)
(Article in
French)
Employers are often reluctant when it comes to
hiring older workers, especially because their
seniority entitles them to a higher salary.
President Nicolas Sarkozy faces growing
unemployment of older people. To fight against
this phenomenon and as part of his campaign,
he announced that he wants to exempt firms
that hire unemployed people over the age 55
for more than six months from social taxes.
This is not the first time he has mentioned
this possibility; it was written into his
pension reform of 2010 but was never
implemented. He stated that this change would
cost the state 100 million euros the first
year and that 50 000 to 60,000 people would
benefit from it every year.
Europe:
Generation that Lives Off Elders: Young
People’s Lives Not as Good as Older
Generation’s (March 19, 2012)
(Article in
Chinese)
In the UK, children live off their parents
because their standard of living is
comparatively lower due to reduced social
benefits, even as expenses increase. In
2000, family incomes of 20-30-year-olds were
for the first time lower than those of baby
boomers. In Greece, families supported by
grandparents or parents are more resilient in
the crisis. In Spain, the average age at which
children leave home is now 32, the highest in
Europe. This has negatively influenced their
ambition and life skills like cooking. In
Italy, some parents have sought government
help in moving adult children out of their
parental homes.
Czech
Republic:
Number
of
People
Aged
over
100 Increases in the Czech Republic (March
17, 2012)
(Article in
Arabic)
A study stated that the number of Czech
citizens aged over 100 has reached 961; 813
women and 148 men.
Germany:
German Government Considering "Grandparents’
Leave" (March 14, 2012)
(Article in
French)
Germany is about to raise the age of
retirement to age 67, which may transform the
relationship between grandparents and
grandchildren. By working longer, seniors will
not have as much time to look after their
grandchildren. Following this, the
Conservative Minister of Family, Kristina
Schröder, wants to put in place before
September 2013 a leave for grandparents to
allow them to suspend their activity and then
resume it after taking care of their families.
Russia:
“Buranovskie Grandmothers” Will Represent
Russian Federation on the Prestigious
Eurovision Song Contest (March 12, 2012)
(Article in
Russian)
Two years after almost making it to the
prestigious Eurovision contest, a recent music
sensation and already beloved folk group
"Buranovskie Grandmothers" (Buranovskie
Babushki) finally won the prequalifying rounds
and will represent the Russian Federation in
the upcoming Eurovision 2012. Buranovskie
Grandmothers won first place with 38.51 points
by viewer voting. The long anticipated
competition will be held in Azerbaijan's
capital Baku May 22-26, and will represent 40
European countries.
Russia:
Buried Alive or Just Crossed Off List
Due to Age? (March 12, 2012)
(Article in
Russian)
One of Galina’s biggest surprises in life was
being notified by authorities that she passed
away about four months ago. The elderly woman
from Yekaterinburg got a letter from social
services stating that she is no longer
eligible for senior discounts and privileges
due to the fact that she passed away. Galina
says that even though she is 91 years old, she
is very much alive and enjoys reading Chekhov
and spoiling her cat Kesha. Galina is working
with authorities to sort out this
misunderstanding.
UK:
UK Takes Care of Their Elderly Drivers
(March 12, 2012)
(Article in
Arabic)
According to a British government report,
elderly drivers who are caught violating the
traffic law should be sent to special training
courses to make sure they are still healthy
enough to sit behind the wheel.
Belgium:
Belgian Law on Euthanasia Still Questioned
(March 11, 2012)
(Article in
French)
Euthanasia was legalized in Belgium ten years
ago. In 2011, 1,133 cases were registered,
representing 1 percent of all deaths in the
country that year; 50 percent of euthanasia
requests were granted. Proponents of this
practice, including many doctors, want the
scope of the law to be expanded, for example,
to patients who are not terminally ill.
However, others are opposed to a
“trivialization” of euthanasia, recalling that
this is not a minor decision and that it must
be carefully circumscribed.
UK:
Visiting
the
Elderly
Could
Save
Lives,
Say Campaigners (March 11, 2012)
Based on Office for National Statistics data,
it was found that almost two-thirds of deaths
as a result of accidents such as gas leaks
were among people aged over 65. Community
members should keep an eye on their elderly
neighbors. Sometimes, support and reassurance
can be the difference between life and death.
Neighbors should check whether carbon monoxide
and smoke alarms are working, that boilers are
serviced yearly and that older people know
whom to call if they smell gas.
France:
Pro-Euthanasia
Organization Shows Three Presidential
Candidates on Their Deathbeds (March 6,
2012)
(Article in
French)
The Association for the Right to Die with
Dignity (ADMD) which advocates for the
legalization of euthanasia has hit hard with
its latest advertising campaign. Finding that
the candidates to the presidential election do
not speak enough about the subject and that
they are mostly opposed to it, the association
has created posters showing candidates on the
deathbed, with the message "Mr. Candidate,
must we put you in that position to change
yours on euthanasia?”
France:
Retirement
Home
Forced
to
Accommodate
Families
(March 5, 2012)
(Article in
French)
The retirement home in Villepreux has seen a
new population move in the building, and
retirees are not happy with this change. Until
space becomes available in overcrowded social
housing, the municipality has allowed families
to move into the retirement home. Seniors must
live with noisy children and families that
stay up later, prompting some to relocate to
find some peace. Elected officials have
lamented the lack of solidarity and reminded
residents that this solution is temporary.
Netherlands:
Euthanasia at Home (March 2, 2012)
(Article in
French)
Ten years ago, the Netherlands became the
first country to legalize euthanasia. On March
1, 2012, the Dutch Association for Voluntary
end of life (NVVE) launched its "End of Life
Clinic" which travels the country to help
incurable patients whose doctor refused to
fulfill their last will. The six mobile teams,
each consisting of a doctor and a nurse, have
already been contacted by 70 people across the
country.
France:
Housing
Equipment for the Elderly: Renewed Tax
Credit (March 1, 2012)
(Article in
French)
The need for elderly or disabled people to
install equipment specially adapted to their
needs in their principal residence entitles
them to receive a tax credit. The French
Finance Act 2012 extended the possibility for
three years, until 2014. The technological
risk prevention is also included in the new
law as opposed to the acquisition of an
elevator, which is no longer eligible. Read
this article to find how to calculate your
rights.
France:
Should
There Be a Right to Die? (February 23, 2012)
(Article in
French)
The issue of legalizing euthanasia is becoming
increasingly urgent throughout the French
presidential campaign. Socialist candidate
Francois Hollande suggested that he would
allow medical help to end life. Jean Leonetti,
who drafted the law named after him that now
deals with the end of life, called the
proposal "dangerous." In this debate on the
issue, he opposes Marisol Touraine, who
supports Francois Hollande and notes that 90
percent of the French want a reform in this
direction.
Belgium:
Hire Seniors... Increase Your Company’s
Productivity (February 23, 2012)
(Article in
French)
The author of this article published in
Belgium describes the German model to urge
companies to employ older workers. As shown by
the German institute ZEW, the productivity of
firms that employ seniors is higher than that
of companies consisting mostly of young
people. However, unions have said that 800,000
people aged 60 to 64 are working in precarious
conditions that do not allow them to
capitalize.
Germany:
Many
German
Seniors
Return
to
Prestigious
Universities, Compete with Younger Students
(February 17, 2012)
(Article in
Russian)
In Germany, thousands of elders returned to
universities to undertake study courses they
didn’t have a chance to complete earlier. They
believe that age is not an obstacle and it is
never too late to learn. However, many younger
students are quite disappointed by this turn
of events because seniors are quite dedicated
students who set high standards and are taking
up already limited space in prestigious
schools.
Russia:
Yekaterinburg Seniors Have Special Plans for
St. Valentine's Day (February 12, 2012)
(Article in
Russian)
St. Valentine's Day is a relatively recent
phenomenon in the Russian Federation; however,
this holiday quickly spread among the younger
generation and now the elders are also
embracing this lovely tradition. On February
14, in Yekaterinburg, couples in their 70s and
80s, married for 30-40 years, will see how
well they know each other and what they value
most about each other in a special holiday
version of a popular game called “Love at
first sight.”
UK:
Tackling
Financial
Exploitation
of
Elderly
People
(February
8, 2012)
Researchers
at the UK Research Councils’ New Dynamics of
Ageing Program wanted to find out how
professionals who deal with the elderly make
decisions relating to possible financial
exploitation. By analyzing how these decisions
are made, it allows a better understanding of
the most crucial indicators of economic abuse
and the best way to approach this problem. The
findings could be useful as future training
tools.
Russia: In
Nizhny Novgorod Region, Elderly Run Amateur
Puppet Theater (February 8, 2012)
(Article in
Russian)
A local amateur puppet theater in the Nizhny
Novgorod region started and run by elders
offers its audience a unique look at classic
fairy tales. It all started as a hobby, and
for most seniors it was initially something to
occupy their time. However, very quickly this
hobby has turned into a second profession. Now
seats are booked a month in advance and the
production has become a local hit. The only
problem is the lack of grandpas for the male
roles. On the other hand, a local grandma
played the role of a weak-willed, tormented
old man.
France:
Family Housing? No, You're Too Old!
(February 7, 2012)
(Article in
French)
A circular of the Ministry of Ecology,
Sustainable Development,Transportation and
Housing dated January 13, 2012, has infuriated
“Les Petits Frères des Pauvres,” a
French organization that deals with housing
for poor seniors. It states that family
housing, which aims at enabling excluded
people to be housed, "is not designed
specifically for seniors." Recalling that
discriminating against people because of their
age is illegal, the association also said not
opening the doors of family pensions to senior
citizens, who are particularly affected by
poverty in times of crisis, would have
"tragic" consequences.
France:
Euthanasia: How the Socialist Party
Converted Its Candidate (February 6, 2012)
(Article in
French)
The Socialist Party has admitted to taking
"further steps" toward legalizing euthanasia
in the program of its candidate for president,
Francois Hollande. Of those surveyed whether
doctors should be allowed to terminate the
lives of people with incurable diseases and
intolerable illnesses if they request it, 94
percent gave a positive response.
Russia:
In Kaliningrad, Migrant Workers Beat and Rob
92-Year Old Veteran (February 2, 2012)
(Article in
Russian)
In Kaliningrad, a veteran of WWII was robbed
and beaten. Two migrant workers entered the
home of 92-year-old veteran Nikolai Melnikov
when he was sleeping, threatened him with an
air rifle and demanded that he give them
money, war rewards and memorabilia. They beat
the veteran, took all his valuables, and left.
One of the suspects has already been detained.
Russia:
Foster Homes Opening in Kursk Region for
Single Elderly and Disabled Individuals
(January 31, 2012)
(Article in
Russian)
In the Kursk region, a new kind of foster home
is emerging. Families are allowed to open
their homes to single older individuals and to
persons with disabilities. Households wishing
to be foster families can make their homes
available to older single people if they pass
a rigorous selection process. These families
are eligible for monthly reimbursement from
the government (up to 4500 rubles per month);
however, this sum might be almost doubled
depending on the number of elders living in
the household. Additionally, 75 percent of
each elder’s pension goes to the family budget
for expenses. The reasoning behind this
unusual proposal is an attempt to save
regional health care costs. Currently there
are 28 seniors living in 22 foster families.
European
Union:
Increase of Employment Rate of Older People
in Southern Europe (January 31, 2012)
(Article in
French)
The
population of the European Union is the
oldest in the world, and this raises the
issue of how to fund pensions. Older people
are now working longer, and the employment
rate among the elderly has increased
dramatically over the last decade. Indeed,
it has jumped by 10.6 percent (from 50.3
percent to 60.9 percent) for people aged 55
to 59. As for the 60-64 age group, the
results are mixed depending on countries:
only 14.2 percent of them work in Malta,
Greece is in a good position with an
employment rate of 30.5 percent and Portugal
and Cyprus peak, scoring respectively 40.2
percent and 41.9 percent.
France:
Human Rights at End of Life: Democracy at
Stake (January 28, 2012)
(Article in
French)
Emmanuel
Hirsch, Director of the Ethical Space of the
Public Hospitals of Paris, expressed his
feelings on the very thorny issue of
euthanasia in this article, stating that it
will be one of the hotspots of the
presidential campaign. He then called for a
dialogue on the issue, something unusual in
our developed societies in which death is
still a taboo, and recommends being careful
not to exploit the debate on euthanasia for
electoral purposes. He recalled that in
France, 80 percent of deaths occur in a
hospital or a place dedicated to the
end-of-life and believes there is a "duty of
restraint, decency and dignity" to the
dying.
France:
Better
Support for Older Migrants: An Agreement
Between Associations (January 26, 2012)
(Article in
French)
French
associations working for the poor and
especially the elderly, Les Petits Freres
des Pauvres and Adoma, have teamed up to
meet the needs of older migrants who are
particularly affected by loneliness,
isolation and insecurity. Volunteers of the
two associations provide support,
companionship, accommodations and food,
working together to help old people who came
to settle in France.
France:
Why Issue of Aging Is Not Addressed in
Campaign (January 25, 2012)
(Article in
French)
Annie de
Vivie, founder of a news website,
Agevillage.com, specializing in the elderly,
explains in this editorial why she believes
the issue of aging, assisted living and
disability is not being addressed in the
presidential campaign of 2012. She suggested
the possibility that the rejection of this
overarching theme is rooted in the whole of
French society. According to her, the
generation of women and men who thrived with
sexual freedom, women's work and economic
development, now aging, refuse to see
themselves as aging and weakened..
France:
"The Person’s Consent Must Never Be
By-passed" (January 24, 2012)
(Article in
French)
In this
interview, Jean-Marie Delarue, whose job is
to make sure that people are not deprived of
their freedom, tells us about conditions in
institutions specializing in caring for
older people. He states that these very
fragile and vulnerable individuals sometimes
are forced to move into the institutional
homes by their families, medical or
administrative representatives. To prevent
this violation of their rights, he calls for
more care in ensuring that the elderly
person consents to the placement and that it
was decided in his or her interest.
France:
"Seniorpreneurs" or Senior Entrepreneurship,
Analysis of a New Phenomenon (January 17,
2012)
(Article in
French)
Not only
can seniors work longer and under better
conditions thanks to medical advances and
longer life expectancy, they also now want
to own their own companies. More than 50,000
people aged 50 and above started companies
in France in 2008. In 2010, 51% of older
workers or job seekers were willing to take
on this new challenge. The new phenomenon is
facilitated by increased ease of
self-entrepreneurship, allowing
"seniorpreneurs" to supplement their income,
to remain active after retirement, or to
counter the lack of access to the labor
market they must face.
Spain: Gang Targets Older People and Robs
Them as They Leave the Bank (January 16,
2012)
(Article in
Spanish)
n Baix
Llobregat, a gang composed of eleven family
members that targets older people as victims
and robs them. The gang watches old people
go into bank. As they are about leave,
some gang members approach them and distract
the older person while another family
members removes money from the victim’s
pocket. An old man who withdrew about 1,000
Euros was a recent victim. The police caught
the gang and five of the members are already
in jail. The police estimate the total loss
to all victims at more than 50,000 Euros.
France:
Seniors
Sharing Homes: Alternative to Loneliness and
High Rents (January 17, 2012)
(Article in
French)
There is
an alternative to maintaining the elderly at
home or placing them in nursing homes--the
two solutions traditionally considered when
a decision on senior housing must be made. A
new phenomenon is slowly emerging in France:
sharing between the elderly. Whether for
financial reasons with ever increasing rent
costs, to ease isolation, or simply to avoid
the nursing home, this option could be a way
to cope with the risk of poverty induced by
the economic crisis, and a way to counter
the loneliness experienced by older people.
France:
"The Prime of Life": The Crucial Vote of
Seniors in 2012 (January 12, 2012)
(Article in
French)
People
aged 60 and over will account for more than
a third of voters in the presidential
election later this year. They will number
13 to 14 million, and their political clout
in choosing the next President of the
Republic is not negligible. Looking at the
figures of previous elections, they appear
to be likely to vote for right-wing parties
and reject extremism and centrism. In
addition, seniors pay close attention to the
theme of "protection of the French"--yet
another reason to think they will support
Nicolas Sarkozy. All the candidates should
have an interest in attracting the attention
of this segment of the population.
France:
Charged
with Murder for Helping his 83 Year-old Wife
to Die (January 11, 2011)
(Article in
French)
Jean
Mercier, 83, helped his wife, Josanne, to
die on November 10, 2011, describing his
move as an "act of love." He is now charged
with murder and failure to assist a person
in danger. Married for 55 years, they had
promised each other to be supportive and
helpful if they decided to leave. His wife
had even joined the Association for the
Right to Die with Dignity two years ago.
Jean, himself seriously ill, hopes his trial
will help change mindsets and lead to the
decriminalization of euthanasia.
France:
Borloo Asks Fillon for a Favor (January 11,
2012)
(Article in
French)
Borloo
presented his vows for the New Year in front
of many journalists as he asked the Prime
Minister for a favor. The former minister of
ecology urged Francois Fillon to publish the
legal decrees to support reintegration of
older workers from the Maghreb, the
“Chibanis”, which he supported in 2007.
Indeed, for them to get their housing
assistance, health insurance or pension
insurance regardless of their place of
residence as provided in this law, it is
necessary that it be published, which has
still not been done. These workers who
emigrated 40 years ago from North Africa
could then return to their home countries
and continue to benefit from these
allowances, which for Borloo is a matter of
"honor" for the country.
Russia:
79-Year-Old
Kuzbazz Resident Deceived by Fraudulent
"State Duma Deputy” for Million Rubles
(January 11, 2012)
(Article in
Russian)
A
79-year-old senior citizen voluntarily
deposited close to a million rubbles in the
account of a scam artist pretending to be a
State Duma deputy. The fraudulent
representative was specifically targeting
seniors. The scammer calls seniors who live
alone, and introduces himself as a State
Duma deputy who is deeply involved in issues
facing the region’s older population. He
establishes rapport and gains trust by
ensuring victims that he is determined to
make a change in the lives of the elderly.
Russia:
The
Secret
of
Aging
Gracefully
(January
8,
2012)
(Article in
Russian)
Vladimir Yakovlev, a freelance photographer,
is on a quest to derive a formula for happy
aging. In his new project, Yakovlev is
photographing and interviewing older adults
who seem to have discovered the secret of
infinite youth. Among the project’s
characters is a working actor who began his
career at the age of 82; a 79-year-old
model; a 68-year-old skydiver who set
a record for jumping; a 95-year-old
philanthropist who is an active rock
climber; a musical band, whose members’
average age is 78; and a group of
grandmothers with the seventh dan in aikido.
France: End
of Exemption From Job Search for Senior
Citizens (January 4, 2012)
(Article in
Russian)
Law No.
2008-758 dated August 1, 2008, on abolishing
the exemption from job searches for older
unemployed people became effective January
1, 2012. The opportunity for the unemployed
over the age of 57 to be excused from
actively seeking employment in exchange for
their benefits, as desired by President
Sarkozy at the beginning of his term, does
not seem to be working. French unemployment
figures are disastrous; at the end of 2011,
seniors accounted for more than 800,000 of
the 5,201,300 registered at employment
centers. Older unemployed must now "prove
the performance of positive and repeated
attempts to find a job, create or acquire a
business," a stressful, painful and
complicated process.
UK:
Why
is
Dignity
in
Elder
Care
so
Hard?
(January 3, 2012)
As the
government of England attempts to reexamine
how to care for the old, the important
question of why dignity in elderly care is
difficult remains. The Equality and Human
Rights Commission believes the answer lies
in human rights training, while the
Mid-Staffs review concluded that the
National Health Service has a mistaken
approach. Shouldn't the cost of care be
shared across society as a whole?
Canada:
The "Grandparent Scam" on the Rise (December
30, 2011)
(Article in
French)
The
elderly, who are considered to be easy and
naive preys, are more and more the victims
of scammers. The technique of the
"grandparent scam," a term used by the
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, is to call an
old person pretending to be one of his
grandchildren and to claim to have pressing
financial problems. The scammer then asks
the senior to transfer a large amount of
money as soon as possible; the elder
often obliges out of fear or panic. Since
June, the CAFC received about 20 complaints
about this method, but is concerned that
there is actually much more due to ashamed
victims who do not speak out.
European
Union: 2012 European Year of Active Ageing
(December 30, 2011)
(Article in
French)
European
authorities have decided to dedicate the
year 2012 to active ageing and
inter-generational solidarity. The Union is
preparing to face the inevitable reversal of
the demographic pyramid. By 2060 the
continent will only have two persons aged 15
to 64 able to work for every citizen over
the age of 65. It is only devoting a budget
of 5 million Euros to the implementation of
various projects, an amount well below the 8
million allocated to the year of
volunteering in 2011 and 17 million in 2010
to that of the fight against poverty.
Russia:
Elderly Woman Disarms Repeated Offender With
Cane (December 12, 2011)
(Article in
Russian)
After selling her Moscow apartment,
86-year-old Maria Sorokina was in the
process of depositing 5,300,000 rubles into
the bank. As she was about to give the money
to the teller, a man came from behind and
grabbed 2,500,000 rubles right out of her
hands. However, Maria did not panic. She
quickly hit the man with her cane, and he
fell and dropped the money on the floor.
Other senior citizens who were also waiting
in line promptly came to the rescue and
started to hit the man with their purses,
assistive devices and anything they had in
their hands. By the time security and police
arrived, the robber had only 450,000 rubles
left, and was easily transferred to the
authorities with the evidence right in his
hands and a full bank of witnesses.
Russia:
Buranovskie Grandmothers Working for Soup
(October 31, 2011)
(Article in
Russian)
An elderly female folk group from Buransk
called Buranovskie Grandmothers has taken
the country by storm. It is hard to believe
that the all-female ensemble was formed only
a few years ago when the local grandmas
decided to raise money to rebuild a local
church. Fast forward to today, and the
“grandmothers” not only came close to
winning the most prestigious European song
contest “Euro Vision 2010” but are now the
opening act for many A-list celebrities,
have their own nationwide tours and even
perform shows for sold-out audiences in the
Kremlin.
