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Russian felt boots manufacturing

Andrey Shapran's photographies represent the manufacturing of felt boots called 'valenki' in a village in the region of Altai in Russia.
By Gazeta Russa, Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures
In the middle of the last century felt boots manufacture was well developed and millions of pairs of felt boots wormed people's feet.
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Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures

In the middle of the last century felt boots manufacture was well developed and millions of pairs of felt boots wormed people's feet.
Traditional Russian felt boots 'valenki'

Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures

Traditional Russian felt boots 'valenki'
'Valenki' felt boots manufacturing in Altai village

Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures

'Valenki' felt boots manufacturing in Altai village
People here work in hard conditions and their salary is no more than five dollars a day, but for them there is no another way to earn money.

Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures

People here work in hard conditions and their salary is no more than five dollars a day, but for them there is no another way to earn money.
The entire technological cycle could be run by one craftsman from beginning to final product.

Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures

The entire technological cycle could be run by one craftsman from beginning to final product.
In spite of the modernization of the felt boots manufacturing there are lots of handy operations.

Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures

In spite of the modernization of the felt boots manufacturing there are lots of handy operations.
Several factories keep working in Altai villages, where craftsmen preserve the skill of creating this essential part of Russian peasantry lifestyle.

Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures

Several factories keep working in Altai villages, where craftsmen preserve the skill of creating this essential part of Russian peasantry lifestyle.
Nevertheless felt boots are still produced at small factories in different parts of Russia and very required by country population.

Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures

Nevertheless felt boots are still produced at small factories in different parts of Russia and very required by country population.
Nowadays the old handicraft gradually goes down - felt boot manufacturing is commercially inefficient.

Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures

Nowadays the old handicraft gradually goes down - felt boot manufacturing is commercially inefficient.
The manufacturing was exceptionally seasonal: it started after the end of harvest and went on through whole autumn and winter till the Eastertime, before sowing and cattle pasturing.

Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures

The manufacturing was exceptionally seasonal: it started after the end of harvest and went on through whole autumn and winter till the Eastertime, before sowing and cattle pasturing.
This kind of footwear appeared in Russia in the end of seventeenth century and considered as fashionable and was quite expensive in those days.

Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures

This kind of footwear appeared in Russia in the end of seventeenth century and considered as fashionable and was quite expensive in those days.
As hundreds years ago they are handmade.

Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures

As hundreds years ago they are handmade.
'Valenki' are extremely warm and perfect for walking the dry snow.

Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures

'Valenki' are extremely warm and perfect for walking the dry snow.
Made of sheep's wool they have the natural colour from black to white, may be soft or hard.

Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures

Made of sheep's wool they have the natural colour from black to white, may be soft or hard.
Traditional Russian felt boots 'valenki' are worn in the winter frosty weather.

Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures

Traditional Russian felt boots 'valenki' are worn in the winter frosty weather.
These photographies represent felt boots manufacturing in a village in the region of Altai in Russia.

Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures

These photographies represent felt boots manufacturing in a village in the region of Altai in Russia.
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December 13, 2011

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