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.
04:31In the late 19th century, the Indians are unable to refresh each other.
04:34In winter, the Indians were able to shed for even more information.
04:36They were able to go after a long time, literally from the first half of his family.
04:46Over the years, they were able to get the strongest of the three parts of the country.
04:48They were able to be able to come after theme, though they knew their lives.
04:49They were able to get the most of the students to the world.
04:50They were able to get the most from the people.
04:55They were able to make the most of the time and of the ten years.
04:57As the days grow shorter and the nights stretch longer, the temperatures drop drastically.
05:26There were days when the sun barely rises and the darkness, combined with the intense
05:31cold, makes life here more challenging.
05:37Before the sun sets, Eduard hervies to the nearby lake to gather enough water for the week.
05:44For Eduard, his days are filled with endless tasks, keeping the house warm, caring for livestock,
05:50fetching water and looking after the children.
05:53But despite the exhaustion and the harsh conditions, he finds strength in knowing that each task
05:59helps his family survive in one of the toughest environments on Earth.
06:05So, let's take a look.
06:12I'm going to take a look.
06:17I'm going to take a look.
06:23the
06:24I
06:26I
06:28I
06:30I
06:32I
06:36I
06:38I
06:40I
06:42I
06:44and down the wall down the door.
06:46It will take the door to the door.
06:51He wants to use his hand.
06:53Here we go.
06:56He's okay with you guys.
06:58He's okay with me.
07:01He's okay with me.
07:02He's okay with me.
07:05I've been here.
07:06He's okay with me.
07:08I'll be happy with us.
07:14Lira and Edward are raising their eldest son, 13-year-old Wallan, who is autistic.
07:31Lira devotes all her time to teaching him how to read and speak.
07:35With no specialized clinics or schools available in their remote village, Lira has taken on
07:40the role of Wallan's teacher, ensuring he receives the attention and support he needs.
08:08In the afternoon, after finishing his work, Edward has a bit of time to dedicate to his
08:13passion – crafting.
08:15Edward built his own studio, where he handcrafts Yakutian knives.
08:20In Yakutia, crafting Yakutian knives is an essential part of society, with artisans highly respected
08:26for their crafts.
08:29In Yakutian culture, blacksmiths hold a status similar to that of shamans, as their craft
08:35is believed to possess spiritual significance.
08:42Heredity plays a crucial role – only those born into blacksmith families can become blacksmiths.
09:02On 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.
09:25Both 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 heating,
09:38hammering and sharpening the blade to achieve a perfect edge.
09:44While Edward was busy with his tasks, Lyra had already prepared a hearty lunch.
10:05In Yakutia's freezing climate, soup is more than just a starter.
10:09It's the main dish, providing much-needed warmth and energy to get through the cold days.
10:16For dessert, Lyra is preparing a beloved Yakutian treat – whipped cream mixed with local berries.
10:22This simple yet delicious dessert is a family's favorite, especially for little Nurgun, who always eagerly waits for it.
10:31As 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 Lyra and the children.
11:01The warmth of the meal is comforting, and in the cold, harsh climate of Yakutia, moments like this are cherished.
11:09After lunch, the family spends time on their hobbies.
11:37time on their hobbies. Lira and Michiya sit together working on embroidery pieces made from beads.
11:44Michiya, who loves art, dreams of becoming an artist one day. She is already quite skilled
11:50and the young kids often join in learning from her and Lira. They paint alongside them,
11:56filling the house with creativity. The whole family has a love for art and enjoys these
12:02quite creative moments. Edward, when he has time, indulge in his own passion photography.
12:10He enjoys capturing the beauty of Yakutia's frozen landscape and daily life. His talent has been
12:17recognized and he has won several photography contests, is one of his pictures being awarded as
12:23the best. Life in the coldest place on earth is not without its challenges. From freezing cars to long
12:31dark nights, the Kerasimus face the harsh arctic conditions daily. This land may be harsh,
12:39but it's their home. A home filled with family, love and support.
Comments