00:00In a small village in Yakutia, where temperature plunges lower than anywhere else on Earth,
00:08winter is once again approaching.
00:11Eduard, a father of five, start his day bright and early.
00:15As winter draws near, the Kerasimo family begins their preparations months in advance.
00:21Together they work to preserve everything they can from the brief summer – berries, fish,
00:29meat and hay to feed their livestock during the nine months of extreme winter ahead.
00:40The Kerasimo family lives in a remote village hundreds of miles from the nearest town.
00:47With no gas pipelines reaching this far, they rely on coal, which is more affordable and
00:52easier to obtain than wood.
01:10Lyra and Eduard are a young couple in their early 30s, raising five children.
01:15Lyra is a housewife dedicated to caring for their children,
01:20while Eduard works as a village vet.
01:30Like other villagers, Lyra and Eduard raise livestock.
01:34Farming in this frozen land comes with many challenges and requires hard work.
01:39The cows in Yakutia are a special breed, capable of withstanding temperatures as low as minus
01:4570 degrees Celsius, spending most of the winter indoors in insulated wooden shelters.
01:55Having a farm is essential for the Kerasimo family, as it provides food for them throughout
02:00the year. During the short summer, the entire family dedicates themselves to harvesting hundreds
02:06of tons of hay, enough to feed the livestock throughout the long winter months.
02:21After a big breakfast, Michiya and Erchemen head off to school.
02:26Michiya is 12 and her younger brother, nine-year-old Erchemen, who attends primary school,
02:33start his day at 8 am. Michiya looks after her brother as they walk to school together.
02:42In their small village, where everyone knows each other, it's safe for them to go on their own.
02:50School life in Yakutia can be quite different from what you might expect. In winter, when temperatures
02:56drop to unbearable levels, schools remain open even when it's minus 50 degrees Celsius, as the local
03:03children are used to the cold. In small villages like the one where Michiya and Erchemen live,
03:17school are often the heart of the community. Class sizes tend to be smaller compared to urban areas,
03:24allowing for a more personal connection between teachers and students.
03:45While the children are at school, Eduard is at work. His neighbor's livestock has fallen ill.
03:51In this village, being a vet means mostly caring for livestock and it's important job for the community.
04:02Meanwhile, Lyra is draining the milk. In Yakutia, milk is not only consumed fresh,
04:07but also processed into a variety of traditional dairy products.
04:11Nergun, the youngest boy in the family, has been helping his mother with household tasks from a young age.
04:25Washing, cleaning and cooking are part of his daily chores, even though he is only seven years old.
04:31.
04:38After a while, we had a lot of work.
04:42We need to find our children out there and help the children in the world.
04:46We need to find our children in order to serve as a child.
04:48We need to find the children out there and to find them in a way.
04:51We need to find the children out there, including us.
04:54I was told that I was a good one.
04:59I was a good one.
05:04I was a good one.
05:20As the days grow shorter and the nights stretch longer,
05:23longer, the temperatures drop drastically. There are days when the sun barely rises,
05:29and the darkness, combined with the intense cold, makes life here more challenging.
05:37Before the sun sets, Eduard hervies to the nearby lake to gather enough water for the
05:42week. For Eduard, his days are filled with endless tasks, keeping the house warm, caring
05:49for livestock, fetching water and looking after the children. But despite the exhaustion
05:55and the harsh conditions, he finds strength in knowing that each task helps his family
06:00survive in one of the toughest environments on earth.
06:19The best thing about the children has to be given is that the kids will come to the
06:24future, and they will stay in the future. The children will not be the best.
06:32They will be the best. He will not be the best.
06:34They will not be the best. I will not be the best.
06:40They're in the same place, they're actively involved with the crime and the crime.
06:55They've got a lot of problems with their children.
07:02We will be able to grow our children, and we will be able to grow our children, and we will be able to grow our children.
07:23Lyra and Eduard are raising their eldest son, 13-year-old Walan, who is autistic.
07:30Lyra devotes all her time to teaching him how to read and speak.
07:35With no specialized clinics or school available in their remote village, Lyra has taken on the role of Walan's teacher, ensuring he receives the attention and support he needs.
08:00In the afternoon, after finishing his work, Eduard has a bit of time to dedicate to his passion, crafting.
08:15Eduard built his own studio, where he handcrafts Yakutian knives.
08:18In Yakutia, crafting Yakutian knives is an essential part of society, with artisans highly respected for their crafts.
08:27In Yakutian culture, blacksmiths hold a status similar to that of shamans, as their craft is believed to possess spiritual significance.
08:37Heredity plays a crucial role. Only those born into blacksmith' families can become blacksmiths.
08:50Heredity plays a crucial role. Only those born into blacksmith families can become blacksmiths.
09:03On Edward's father's side, every man was a blacksmith.
09:07And it's this family legacy that led Edward to follow in their footsteps.
09:20The making of Yakutian knives shares similarities with Japanese knife crafting. Both traditions emphasize forging strong, durable blades that can handle harsh conditions.
09:32Yakutian knives are often made from high-quality steel, and the crafting process involves hitting, hammering and sharpening the blade to achieve a perfect edge.
09:50While Edward was busy with his tasks, Lira had already prepared a hearty lunch.
10:04In Yakutia's freezing climate, soup is more than just a starter. It's the main dish, providing much-needed warmth and energy to get through the cold days.
10:14For dessert, Lira is preparing a beloved Yakutian treat, whipped cream mixed with local berries.
10:21This simple, yet delicious dessert is a family's favorite, especially for little Nurgun, who always eagerly waits for it.
10:34Oh no!
10:36Good job!
10:38Good job, good job!
10:40Good job!
10:42Good job!
10:49As the savory aroma of the soup fills the house, the family gathers around the table for lunch.
10:55Edward, back from his afternoon tasks, sit down with Lira and the children.
11:00The warmth of the meal is comforting, and in the cold, harsh climate of Yakutia, moments like this are cherished.
11:08House of food is slightly Если you want a little bit of a beer, you'll have a little bit of coffee.
11:12I'm glad that you have a little bit of coffee or a nice drink.
11:14Now, we can go with a good drink.
11:15If you are still eating rice, you'll have a good drink.
11:16There's a good drink, and you can drink in the cold, kind of food.
11:17You'll have some someπlade, but it's really nice to eat.
11:19If you are not eating rice and fresh milk, you'll see if you haven't eaten rice.
11:20I'm so happy with a drink, I'm so happy with you with the kong-eakutia, friends and friends.
11:21You are so happy with the kong-eakutia, friends!
11:22It's the kong-eakutia, friends, friends and friends.
11:23With the kong-eakutia, friends and friends!
11:24After lunch, the family spends time on their hobbies.
11:38Livy and Michiya sit together working on embroidery pieces made from beads.
11:44Michiya, who loves art, dreams of becoming an artist one day.
11:49She is already quite skilled and the young kids often join in learning from her and
11:54Lyra.
11:55They paint alongside them, filling the house with creativity.
11:59The whole family has a love for art and enjoys these quiet creative moments.
12:06Edward when he has time, indulge in his own passion photography.
12:10He enjoys capturing the beauty of Yakutia's frozen landscape and daily life.
12:16His talent has been recognized and he has won several photography contests, is one of
12:21his pictures being awarded as the best.
12:26Life in the coldest place on earth is not without its challenges.
12:30From freezing cars to long dark nights, the Kerasimus face the harsh Arctic conditions daily.
12:37This land may be harsh, but it's their home.
12:40A home filled with family, love and support.
