Kazan Blogger Velobabai Talks Popularity

A 59-year-old Kazan blogger known as Velobabai told a 116.RU correspondent how he feels about his popularity — see our video report for more.

Velobabai was born in Karaganda (Kazakhstan), but has lived in Kazan for 12 years. Throughout that time he has had no permanent home. He traveled the world extensively, but eventually settled in the land of his ancestors.

“I have lived on a bicycle for all 12 years. I always dress brightly, unusually and strangely — overall, this image is a kind of city-crazy. I take that term positively. And all sorts of similar words like outsider, madman, holy fool, on the contrary, I like. That is how I see myself — the city madman Velobabai. But I am a harmless madman, I do no harm and I try to completely rid myself of aggression and negativity,” the interviewee laughed.

His audience loved him instantly: the blogger«s page is growing fast, and people constantly come up to him on the street asking to take a photo. Velobabai adores such attention — he says he literally “feeds” on it. Followers even give him clothes, and recently they gave him a smartphone.

“I am incredibly happy about this attention, I am not tired of it. I have never once encountered negativity, no one has said a bad word. Some ask: ‘Is the selfie free?’ I say: ‘Of course!’ and offer to record a video greeting. I love passing on greetings to different cities,” the blogger said.

The idea of starting a blog was suggested to the man by friends. They also help edit the videos — Velobabai himself is not good with technology, but he does not need to be, because he has charisma.

But most importantly, Velobabai has a big family. He has been married several times; he now has two adult daughters, a grandson and a granddaughter. They live in different cities, but they do not lose touch.

You can learn even more about our interviewee in our big feature.