Yakutia is known as the land of permafrost, with long and brutal winters where temperatures often drop below minus 40 degrees Celsius. Everything and everyone is covered in frost, and thick ‘ice fog’ hangs over the streets. Even multiple layers of clothes won’t guarantee protection from frostbite.
Getting around by car is also a challenge, and drivers don’t turn off their engines to prevent them from freezing. Locals use special covers called ‘Natashas’ to protect their cars from the cold. Alexander Zabolotsky uses a thermal car blanket to keep his car warm, and the sheltered vehicles are a common sight in Yakutsk. “There are no residential areas in this building, but there are cars parked here, covered with ‘Natashas’. So these people have arrived to work, uncovered and locked their cars and can go about their business with peace of mind. There are many of them everywhere,” he points out.
A portable garage called the ‘Natasha’ was invented in Buryatia in 2011 and is cheaper than renting a lock-up. However, even those who keep their cars inside have to be careful and fully insulate everything to prevent the car from becoming useless due to the cold. Mechanic Denis Pevnikov says, “You need to completely insulate everything, the engine, the grill, you must cover the windshield. If you leave the car on the street for a long time and go somewhere, you need to heat the antifreeze liquid – or you need a warm garage. If you leave your car turned off overnight, you won’t be able to start it again,” he warns.
Local Students Pollinate Strawberries By Hand in Freezing Climate
The severe climate affects people’s daily habits, including their diets. Despite the harsh winters, residents of Yakutsk are determined not to miss out on fresh fruit, and a group of local students have created their own strawberry farm in a heated garage. Ivan Zharlikov explains, “Why do we pollinate with brushes? Because we don’t have bumblebees, there aren’t any insects or beetles which could help pollinate these berries. And so, we take a brush and help them blossom.” The team had to improvise due to freezing temperatures, a lack of sunlight, and no insects to help pollinate the berries. They pollinate dozens of bushes by hand multiple times a day. Ivan Gavriliev, the project’s manager, is delighted with the outcome. “Our experiment showed that in Yakutia – in our severe, fifty-degree frosts – you can serve local, fresh, tasty, sweet strawberries grown in the city of Yakutsk at the festive table,” he smiles.
Although the weather outside may be frightful, the produce is delightful. As residents of Yakutsk navigate the bleak winter outside, they can look forward to one day seeing Siberian winter berries in their local supermarkets.
TR