Natalya Vodyanova: “I saw amazingly consolidated people in the Caucasus, like nowhere else”

Interview by Vestnik Kavkaza

In 2005 top model Natalya Vodyanova founded the charity fund Naked Heart Foundation to help children. She collects money for children at public sales and charity nights. Today the foundation is building modern and safe childrens parks and grounds. Several years ago the foundation constructed an amusement park in Beslan where disabled children can play. Natalya Vodyanova told Vestnik Kavkaza about her impressions from the Caucasus.

-          Natalya, is your foundation planning some other projects in the Caucasus region?

-          I am grateful to Beslan for these ten years of my life. Every year, when September 1 comes I want to travel to Beslan. Last time I was there was in 2009, when we opened our park. It was wonderful. I received a really warm welcome, I would be happy to visit Beslan once again but it is difficult to get there. I have three children and work in the foundation, it takes up a lot of time, so I haven’t traveled there since. The foundation has its charter and special spheres of working. And we deal with the spheres and do our best. I hope that our work will touch on the Caucasus region.

-          What is your impression from the Caucasus?

-          My Caucasian experience is connected with Beslan only. I saw amazingly consolidated people in the Caucasus, like nowhere else. There were many positive children with shining eyes. I don’t know whether the awful tragedy influenced them or not, but they live there at a different level, not like common people. When you survive something like that, it spiritualizes you. They have absolutely different, noble goals. I think every child will be a hero in the future.