The narrative describes the daily life of a family in Yakutia, a region in Siberia known for its harsh climate. Kirill Petrov, the head of the family, starts his day by heating the house with a wood stove to keep his family warm. The family relies on ice as their main source of water, as the pipes freeze during the long winter. Kirill and the villagers collect the ice from the river in mid-November, when the temperature is favorable for harvesting the ice.
Arian, the youngest son, wakes up at 7:40 in the morning and prepares for school. Due to the harsh climate, children in Yakutia only go to school when the temperature is above -54°C. Today, it is -40°C, so Arian goes to school. His mother ensures he wears enough clothes to protect him from the cold, as the cold can reach deep into his bones.
Arian's school day includes studying Russian, English, and Sakha, the mother tongue of the Yakuts. After the first two classes, it's time for a second breakfast. After breakfast, they play inside due to the cold. Classes usually end at 2 pm, but today Arian finishes a little earlier.
Upon returning home, Arian helps his father, Kirill Petrov, a well-known craftsman in Yakutia who makes traditional Yakut knives. Arian also helps his mother prepare a common carp fish that their father caught in the river. Arian's favorite part of the fish is the fatty and nutritious fish eggs.
Fishing and hunting are important sources of food in Yakutia. Arian loves fishing with his father, and they often fish using their rods and nets. Arian spends time with his father in nature, fishing, hunting, and working hard to survive in this extremely cold but beautiful land of Yakutia.
Despite the harsh conditions, the family and the community in Yakutia find ways to live in harmony with nature and appreciate the beauty, treasures, and gifts that surround them.
1. The story is set in Yakutia, a region in Siberia, Russia.
2. Kirill Petrov is the man of the house and heats the house with a wood stove every morning.
3. The house needs to be heated for 9 months straight due to the harsh climate.
4. Drinking water in a Yakut village is a precious commodity and the main source of water is ice.
5. Kirill and the villagers collected the ice from the river in mid-November.
6. Kirill's wife Liubov prepares a traditional breakfast of Kyercheh, a dessert made of whipped cream and strawberries.
7. In Yakutia, it is almost impossible to grow fruits and vegetables due to the harsh climate, so most desserts consist of dairy products.
8. Arian, the youngest son, is 9 years old and goes to the local primary school.
9. Children in Yakutia go to school when it is above -54°C.
10. When the temperature drops below -55°C, it is too dangerous to go to school.
11. Arian's older sisters live and study at university far from the town.
12. Arian's parents want him to study hard so that he can live his life the way he wants.
13. In Yakutia, locals understand the importance of learning the right clothing to survive extreme winters.
14. It is essential to wear several layers of clothing and insulated pants, because knees are particularly prone to freezing.
15. Arian's mother always makes sure that he wears enough clothes, because if he is not dressed properly, the cold will reach deep into his bones, endangering his life.
16. The temperature outside is so cold that the humidity immediately forms small icicles on your eyelashes.
17. 10 minutes outdoors can be enough to cause fatigue, stabbing pain in your face, and long-lasting pain in your fingers and toes.
18. Arian arrives on time at school and there are already many children who have also arrived on foot.
19. Arian is in the 3rd grade of elementary school.
20. Primary school lasts 4 years and, in Yakutia, education lasts 11 years before going to university.
21. Yakuts study 3 languages at school: Russian, English, and Sakha.
22. Sakha is the mother tongue, which belongs to the Turkic group and is totally different from the Russian language.
23. For daily life, studying, and working, knowing the Russian language is essential.
24. Arian's father is teaching him to make traditional Yakut knives.
25. The blade is traditionally forged from locally sourced iron ore.
26. The handle of the knife is made of birch wood, which is extremely strong.
27. Another of Arian's daily duties is chopping firewood.
28. Arian knows from a very young age that daily work is necessary to survive in such extreme cold.
29. Arian's mother prepares a common carp fish that their father caught in the river.
30. People love to eat fish and meat, raw, frozen, boiled, or fried.
31. In Yakutia, there are no indoor toilets because the pipes freeze easily.
32. Arian's favorite part of the fish is the fish eggs.
33. Fishing and hunting are important sources of food in Yakutia.
34. From the beginning of spring until the cold of autumn, the Yakuts eat fish.
35. Arian loves fishing with his father.
36. Early March is the perfect time for “Kuiuur” which is traditional ice fishing.
37. Arian loves spending time with his father in nature.
38. They are fishing, hunting, and working hard to survive in this extremely cold but beautiful land of Yakutia.
39. Arian has caught something after a few hours of fishing.
40. Life in Yakutia can be difficult, unpleasant, and dangerous, but they have learned to live in harmony with Mother Nature and appreciate the beauty, treasures, and gifts that surround them.
41. There is no such thing as bad