Summary
Highlights
Kirill Petrov starts his day at 7 AM by heating his house with a wood-burning stove to keep his family warm in Yakutia's severe climate. Wood is essential for nine months of continuous heating. Water is scarce, with ice being the primary source, harvested from the river in November when temperatures are favorable. Meanwhile, Kirill's wife, Liubov, prepares a traditional breakfast called Kyercheh, a whipped cream dish, as dairy foods are common due to difficulties in growing fruits and vegetables.
At 7:40 AM, Arian, the youngest son, wakes up for school. Children in Yakutia attend school if the temperature is warmer than -54 degrees Celsius, but it's too dangerous below -55 degrees. Today, at -40 degrees, Arian must go. He washes his face with ice-cold water prepared by his dad and eats a high-energy breakfast of fatty pancakes and whipped cream to stay warm. His parents emphasize the importance of education for a better future. Proper layered clothing, including insulated pants and face coverings, is crucial to prevent frostbite and ensure survival in the extreme cold.
Arian's journey to school in the bitter cold involves immediate formation of icicles on his eyelashes. Ten minutes outdoors can cause fatigue and pain. Despite the challenges, Arian, like other children, reaches school on time. He is in the 3rd grade of primary school, which lasts for four years. The curriculum includes subjects like Maths, Literature, Art, Geography, History, and three languages: Russian, English, and Sakha (the indigenous Turkic language). After two lessons, students have a second breakfast, typically an apple and eggs, to maintain energy levels.
After breakfast, children play indoors due to the extreme cold. Arian enjoys physical education, which includes hunting and fishing classes. Classes usually end at 2 PM, but today Arian finishes early and heads home with a friend. They stop at a local snack shop for ice cream, a beloved treat despite the freezing temperatures. The community is tight-knit, with around 800 residents, and parents are not overly worried about their children's safety. Yakutian homes, mostly made of wood, require burning over 60 cubic meters of wood each winter and are insulated with oakum or snow.
Arian returns home to help his father, Kirill, a renowned craftsman who makes traditional Yakut knives. Kirill learned the craft in middle school and now feeds his family by working with iron, creating knives and jew's harps. Yakut knives are famous for their strength and beauty, forged from local iron ore and fitted with strong birch wood handles. Arian is learning this generational craft. Another daily duty for Arian is chopping firewood, a necessary task for survival. He also helps his mother prepare meals, such as crucian carp fish caught by his father, highlighting the importance of hard work and self-sufficiency.
After work, Arian uses the outdoor toilet, as indoor plumbing freezes. Lunch often includes his favorite fish, known for its tasty and nutritious roe eggs. Fishing and hunting are crucial food sources in Yakutia. Arian loves ice fishing with his father, especially during 'Kuiuur' season in early March. After a few hours, Arian successfully catches a fish, which quickly shock-freezes in the extreme cold. Life in Yakutia is challenging but beautiful, teaching locals to live in harmony with nature and appreciate its treasures, emphasizing that attitude shapes one's experience of the weather.