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shapran-andrey_000jpg-(7).jpg[break]These photographies represent felt boots manufacturing in a village in the region of Altai in Russia.[break]Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures [break_string]shapran-andrey_000jpg-(1).jpg[break]Traditional Russian felt boots 'valenki' are worn in the winter frosty weather. [break]Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures [break_string]shapran-andrey_000jpg-(2).jpg[break]Made of sheep's wool they have the natural colour from black to white, may be soft or hard.[break]Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures [break_string]shapran-andrey_000jpg-(24).jpg[break]'Valenki' are extremely warm and perfect for walking the dry snow.[break]Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures [break_string]shapran-andrey_000jpg-(29).jpg[break]As hundreds years ago they are handmade. [break]Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures [break_string]shapran-andrey_000jpg-(9).jpg[break]This kind of footwear appeared in Russia in the end of seventeenth century and considered as fashionable and was quite expensive in those days. [break]Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures [break_string]shapran-andrey_000jpg-(11).jpg[break]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. [break]Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures [break_string]shapran-andrey_000jpg-(43).jpg[break]In the middle of the last century felt boots manufacture was well developed and millions of pairs of felt boots wormed people's feet. [break]Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures [break_string]shapran-andrey_000jpg-(21).jpg[break]Nowadays the old handicraft gradually goes down - felt boot manufacturing is commercially inefficient.[break]Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures [break_string]shapran-andrey_000jpg-(44).jpg[break]Nevertheless felt boots are still produced at small factories in different parts of Russia and very required by country population. [break]Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures [break_string]shapran-andrey_000jpg-(25).jpg[break]Several factories keep working in Altai villages, where craftsmen preserve the skill of creating this essential part of Russian peasantry lifestyle.[break]Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures [break_string]shapran-andrey_000jpg-(47).jpg[break]In spite of the modernization of the felt boots manufacturing there are lots of handy operations.[break]Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures [break_string]shapran-andrey_000jpg-(48).jpg[break]The entire technological cycle could be run by one craftsman from beginning to final product. [break]Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures [break_string]shapran-andrey_000jpg-(38).jpg[break]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.[break]Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures [break_string]shapran-andrey_000jpg-(34).jpg[break]'Valenki' felt boots manufacturing in Altai village[break]Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures [break_string]shapran-andrey_000jpg-(50).jpg[break]Traditional Russian felt boots 'valenki'[break]Andrey Shapran/FocusPictures