Ten looks from the older and wiser
All of these handsome folk are 100 years old or more. There are some nice great –
grandmas and lovely great – grandpas. With age comes wisdom, says the photographer
Karsten Thormaehlen, and a keen sense of humour, too.
“Since I can walk again, I’d like to become 110 years old,” says one and, “I’ve read an adver-
tisement of an optician who gave 1% off for a new pair of glasses for each year of age… ” adds
another. But getting old is a problem for many. These days, old age is feared and loathed, and
people see it as a bloody and scalpel-wielding battle; but it can be a tremendous and enjoyable
thing, too. In his new book, Jahrhundertmensch, Karsten notes that there are more shots of women
than men, because women generally live longer. Old age is topical: Europe is currently in the midst
of a passionate debate about the heavy financial burden placed on member states from the rising
costs of pensions. Old age is something up for discussion.
The book Jahrhundertmensch is published in December by Moonblinx.com.