Rodica V.

by Ana Z.

Name: Rodica V.

Sex: female

Place of birth: Neagra Șarului, county Suceava

Place of residence: Timisoara

Nationality: Romanian

Back then

In which year were you born?

1947 on the 22nd of August

Please briefly describe living circumstances in your childhood

I was born in Neagra Șarului, Suceava County. My father was a teacher and he moved to my mother's hometown after marriage.

Please briefly describe living circumstances from your teenage up to your retirement

After finishing high school, in 1968, I moved to Timisoara due to my job. I was a graphic designer at Iprotim. Then I joined the army as a civilian employee, where I worked until retirement. I retired at the age of 50.

What was the position of elderly persons when you were young?

I have a boy, who now works in Germany, comes to visit us and then leaves again. Our upset is that he didn't get married. He gave more time to the service. He works in the software field, he is an engineer.

Please describe intergenerational liaisons in your family

Nowadays

Please compare what were you thinking about old age when you were young, your expectation of your life in retirement, and how it is really now. What does retirement mean for you?

I'm very active, I don't even realize I'm retired. I started many activities and participated in many events within European projects. Just before the interview, I visited Serbia and went in Vojvodina at the cultural association "Grandmothers of Uzdin", where I felt very good.

Please briefly describe living circumstances in your current life

I live with my husband, we have been married since 1971, we immediately get 50 years of marriage. We are economical, we put some money aside and we manage. My health is good, I have gone through several operations. I was optimistic, now I'm a little depressed.

Please describe your daily routines in present

Since 2014 I have been a volunteer at various associations, Timișoara European Capital of Culture, the Council of Seniors, the Pensioners' Club. I worked voluntarily with kindergartens, with general school no. 2.

I try to promote models of “martisoare” from my area, Suceava county, where they was made from silk, cardboard and goose feather. I organized workshops at the Banat Village Museum and at different schools. The “martisoare” are given to friends and family on the occasion of March 1.

Which media you consume in everyday life (TV, radio, newspapers); what new technologies do you use (Internet, computers, smart-phones)

I have a facebook account. I'm looking for information on my computer.

What motivates you or can motivate you?

I am motivated by the voluntary work I do. I am a very active person.

What are the major roles of retired persons?

The retired persons should pass on as many as possible to the new generations.

What would be your message for the younger generations?

The younger generations should try, as long as we are alive, to find out what we know.

I suffer because I didn't learn many things from my mother, for example how my mother did the heel on the sock.

Questions specifically for Romania:

Which traditional customs do you still keep in your family?

I like to teach young people to sew, to crochet, to make Romanian blouse “ia”, to make “martisoare”.

Did you go through a painful experience caused by the communist regime (persecution, deportation, nationalization, etc.)? How did you manage to overcome that difficult time?

I couldn't go to church because my father was a teacher.

What are the values that guided you throughout life and that you want to transfer to the next generations?

To be economical, to reuse the materials as much as possible.

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