Published: 30 November, 2007, 09:30
Edited: 30 November, 2007, 09:30
In the Russian region of Mordovia one man has become renowned as the life and sole of a village. Vasily Prakin is the only inhabitant of Partsa village.
The deserted houses around are just a step away from complete ruin, whereas Vasily Prakin has renovated his.
Never married and shunning all company, 73-year-old Vasily Prakin is nonetheless well-groomed when he appears in public.
Prakin has prevented his hamlet from being wiped off the map, though his last neighbours moved out 17 years ago.
His winter ration consists of potatoes, fish, canned food and pancakes and without cigarettes or alcohol. His pride and joy is his old camera and an album with black-and-white pictures.
Two old radios and three TV’s keep the old man updated on the latest news and political events.
The village closest to Vasily's is just 7 kilometers away. He has received some tempting offers from there, but he refused them flat out. The same answer awaited Vasily's nephews who live in the Moscow Region.
“How can a village dweller be moved to town, at my age at that? I mean I would get used to any kind of life, but it's clearly too late for me to leave this place now,” Prakin said.
As long as Vasily Prakin stays here and even though there's just one occupied house, the village will go on and keep its name on the map.