Hermitary readers will be familiar with Agafya Likova, the Siberian Old Believer and hermit, now 72 years old. This Siberian Times update notes her recent difficulties with insufficient food and heath issues.Includes many archival photos.
Cloistered Australian nuns
From the Northern Star (Australia) comes a unique photo gallery of cloistered or reclused nuns, from the Carmelite monastery of Goonellebah. Notes the article:
The Northern Star was recently given access to the hidden world of the Carmelite nuns in Goonellabah.
It has been almost 20 years since the Star visited and it was a rare opportunity to glimpse a life which, for many, is unimaginable.
As seen in the photos the nuns days are filled with tasks, prayer, duties and other items around the monastery.
URL: article: http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/nuns-live-life-solitude/3048471/; photos: http://www.northernstar.com.au/photos/photo-gallery-03-06-2016-1150/41352/#/0
New Zealand hermit “Pete”
From New Zealand, The Wireless offers a profile of “Pete,” a wanderer settled on the Kaikoura coast for over 30 years. The article is appropriately titled “What It’s Like to Be a Hermit.” Pete speaks frankly about wandering, surviving, growing old, and being alone.
URL: http://thewireless.co.nz/articles/what-it-s-like-to-be-a-hermit-in-new-zealand
“Hermits” – Chinese hermits documentary film
Hermits, a 2015 documentary film directed by Shipig He and Chengyu Zhou, follows author and translator Bill Porter’s three decades’ long journeys in search for modern Chinese hermits in the Zhongnan mountains of China. The film is based loosely on Porter’s classic book Road to Heaven, and includes some hermits who appeared in the film Amongst White Clouds.
Information about the film is scanty (Internet Movie Database IMDb lists the several film festival showings around the world) FilmFreeway includes a 4+ minute trailer and the director’s summary “13 Commandments” for hermits.
Italian hermit fears eviction
A 77-year old hermit living alone on the Sardinian island of Budelli for the past 27 years is threatened with eviction. Mauro Morandi has maintained the island for many years, benefiting summer tourists, but the island is now in public hands and he fears eviction. A petition drive on his behalf using Change.org is being championed by supporters.
URL: https://www.thelocal.it/20160525/italy-launches-petition-to-stop-eviction-of-paradise-islands-hermit-custodian; Change.org petition (in Italian): https://www.change.org/p/facciamo-in-modo-che-mauro-il-custode-eremita-di-budelli-possa-continuare-a-vivere-l%C3%AC-glgalletti?utm_source=embedded_petition_view