DZHOKOPAY
Olesya Molchanova | Russia 2014 | 26 Min. | OmeU
The Udmurt are an ethnic group living in 1200 km distance from Moscow. Remoteness from major trading cities allowed to preserve their identity, language and self-determination of the people. In the Udmurt villages people still speak the native language Udmurt and some have never learned the Russian language. Here lives Olga Nicolaevna, an elderly woman with a blossoming love for life. We witness her daily routine, and from what we see, hardly anyone would guess the hardships she had to overcome in her youth. It is custom for the Udmurt to name their sick children after birds and other animals. As a child, Olga received the name „Dzhokopay“ (meaning „jay“) from her parents. She and her brother were the lone survivors of nine children. But Olga never gave up. “Love of life, no matter what” – so „Dzhokopay“ lives.
