Today, on February 10 the People’s Artiste of the USSR Vladimir Zeldin turns 99 years old, and he still plays and dances on theatre stage.

      Vladimir Zeldin even entered the Guinness Book of World Records: who else at this considerable age appears on stage and even dances in the play as required by his role?!  

      His inherent state of being so bright, passionate and cheerful, no matter at what age, is really impressive and inspiring! How does he manage to keep it up? The actor explains it in a simple way: “I try not to be mean or do dirt to anybody. As the poet Joseph Brodsky perfectly put it, “one should understand that there are people better than you, and it makes life lighter”. I live with clear conscience. I think that many other people of my generation have clear conscience.  We survived the war and defended Russia. One should be able to be surprised by life, be interested in everything new, and never envy anybody. And one more thing. One should keep up the state of being in love – with one’s profession, with people around you, with life in all its manifestations…”

      To celebrate the outstanding actor’s birthday, the theater where he had been playing for over 70 years, has prepared a gala night. On February 10 the colleagues and friends of Vladimir Zeldin will get together in the theatre, and watch fragments from the movies and plays with his participation.