RYNKYANY, BELARUS

Renya was turning 80 at the time of filming. She is one of the few people who have lived all their lives in close connection with their land and has nowhere to go. She has a lot of household work, a garden, and animals to take care of, but in the evenings, when everything is done, she feels lonely. In the village where she lives, there are only a few inhabitants left, including her. This is what is happening in most of the region, more and more houses and entire villages are emptying. Renya’s son lives on the other side of the border. He cannot visit as often, but each visit is a short glimpse of the happiness that people like Renya live for.