Spring in the Coldest Village on Earth | Yakutia

Summary

This video follows 9-year-old Arian in the coldest village on Earth, Yakutia, as he navigates his busy Sunday. Despite the harsh conditions, spring has arrived, and Arian helps his family with daily chores like chopping wood, feeding dogs, and preparing for their weekly shower. Arian also assists his grandparents with cattle and horses, and enjoys Yakutia’s cultural traditions such as making the musical instrument 'khomus.' The video highlights the tough yet rewarding lifestyle of this remote village, showcasing the family's bond, resilience, and connection to nature, while also touching on their modern use of technology like ExpressVPN.

Takeaways

• ❄️ Arian lives in the coldest village on Earth, Yakutia, where temperatures can drop as low as -70°C in winter and rise to +30°C in summer.
• 🚪 The family uses an outdoor bathhouse for showering, as they don't have running water due to the harsh climate.
• 🪓 Arian helps with family chores, such as chopping wood for the bathhouse, shoveling snow, and feeding their dogs.
• 💧 Water for daily use is bought from Gregory, the waterman, as digging wells is too costly due to permafrost, and pipes can freeze.
• 🐴 Arian often visits his grandparents, who are involved in cattle and horse breeding, and he enjoys spending time with the horses.
• 🏔️ Fishing, hunting, and spending time in nature are a big part of family life, as they rely on local resources for food.
• 🎶 Arian and his father make traditional Yakutian instruments called khomus, which are used in cultural events and rituals.
• 🍲 Yakutian cuisine is mostly meat, fish, and dairy-based since the frozen ground makes it hard to grow produce.
• 🔥 It takes five hours to heat their bathhouse for a weekly shower, which is a family tradition.
• 🌍 The family enjoys connecting with others worldwide through YouTube and using ExpressVPN to enhance their internet experience.

Q & A

What is significant about Yakutia's seasonal temperature changes?

Yakutia experiences extreme seasonal temperature shifts, with winter temperatures dropping to -70°C and summer temperatures reaching up to +30°C, a difference of 100 degrees.

Why do Arian and his family only shower once a week?

Arian's family showers once a week because it takes 5 hours to heat the bathhouse using wood, and running water is not available. Instead, they use a steam room and water from a nearby lake.

How does Arian's family get drinking water?

Arian's family harvests ice from a nearby river in November, which is used as their clean drinking water source throughout the year, as digging wells is expensive and pipes freeze during winter.

What are Arian’s main responsibilities on Sundays?

Arian’s main Sunday responsibilities include chopping wood for the bathhouse, feeding the dogs, shoveling snow, and helping his grandparents with their horses and cattle.

Why is snow shoveling important in Yakutia?

Snow shoveling is crucial in Yakutia because if it is not removed before spring, the snow can melt and form large puddles, as the ground is frozen solid year-round.

How do Arian and his family acquire water for daily use?

Arian's family buys lake water from Gregory, the waterman, who collects it from a nearby lake. They use it for daily needs, although it is not safe for drinking.

What role does the ‘vargan’ or ‘khomus’ play in Yakutian culture?

The vargan, or khomus, is a traditional Yakutian musical instrument used in shamanistic rituals for healing and inducing trances. It is also central to cultural events, where its unique sounds start the proceedings.

How does Arian's family prepare food given the harsh climate?

Due to the frozen ground, Arian's family cannot grow fruits and vegetables year-round. They rely on frozen carrots and locally sourced meats like beef for meals, often cooking outdoors when the weather permits.

How do Arian's parents support him in his biathlon preparation?

Arian's parents, Kirill and Liubov, help him prepare for his biathlon competition by going skiing with him on the nearby frozen river every weekend.

How does ExpressVPN fit into Arian's family's routine?

Liubov uses ExpressVPN for online security, especially when connected to public Wi-Fi. The VPN also allows them to access content on Netflix that isn't available in their country, and it offers savings on subscriptions and other purchases.