Octogenarian Russian dancers prove age is just a number

Russian pensioners Maya Kachina, 82, and Lev Kitayev, 86, enjoy proving that age is just a number as they charm elderly audiences in Moscow with their dance moves, despite being well into their eighties. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina

With wardrobes full of sparkling costumes and cabinets packed with trophies, dancing has given the pair a new life. "I'm terribly fond of giving performances. I'm terribly happy," 82-year-old Kachina said after one of her many dance...more

"After the war, when I was roughly around 10 years old, my mother took me to the theater," recalled Kachina, seen here resting after a performance in Moscow. "During the war we were evacuated to Omsk. (Russian ballet dancer) Galina Ulanova was...more

Maya Kachina brushes her hair at home in Moscow. "I used to go to the fields, the bare fields, and danced alone. I used to like it a lot. And I really wanted to dance and I've lived all my life in my dreams," Kachina said. REUTERS/Evgenia...more

When they first began to dance as a pair, after meeting on a dance floor in Moscow over 20 years ago, Kachina had much to learn from Kitayev and felt like she had to prove herself. But after years of practice the pair has become one of the most...more

The pair, who share an old Soviet flat on the outskirts of the Russian capital but do not describe themselves as romantically involved, say most of their earnings go towards dancing shoes and new costumes, with Kitayev owning a collection of over 40...more

Kachina said made her first dancing dress on her own, using old clothes donated by members of the audience after her performances. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina

To stay in good shape and stay flexible, Kachina exercises every day. She told Reuters other women said they find her strength outstanding, recalling one spectator: "I said, I'm 82. She was sitting in the first row and said, 'I'm 83 but you jumped so...more

Lev Kitayev shows dance costumes at his home in Moscow. "Several women agreed to dance with me. But I had one main criterion for the women: strong legs, a heart and desire to perform, and discipline," said Kitayev. "If we weren't in the right...more

Maya Kachina applies makeup at her home in Moscow. "I ask Lev if I should get my eyebrows tattooed. Should I have a tattoo?" Kachina said. Kitayev responded: "There's no need." "There you go," she said. "He doesn't need them." REUTERS/Evgenia...more

Lev Kitayev prepares for a performance at a social center in Moscow. "We've been performing in social centers together for over 20 years already. Free of charge, before or after lunch, they make announcements about the concert beforehand. Pensioners...more

Maya Kachina's dance shoes are seen before a performance. Over the decades Kachina and Kitayev have developed a close relationship, enabling them to pull some of their most riskiest moves without falling. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina

The dancing couple, seen here riding the Moscow metro to a performance, said their motivation is driven by the need to share the joy of dancing with their audiences. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina

Maya Kachina and Lev Kitayev arrange chairs before a performance at a social center in Moscow. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina

Lev Kitayev packs his dance costume after a performance at a social center in Moscow. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina

Maya Kachina and Lev Kitayev play cards at their home in Moscow. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina

Statuettes and vases are seen at home of Maya Kachina and Lev Kitayev in Moscow. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina

Lev Kitayev looks on at his home in Moscow. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina