One foot in the grave: Russian bootmakers struggle to keep their traditions alive as youngsters abandon rural towns to head for the cities
- Traditional Russian Valenki boots are still made the old school way in small towns around Russia
- In Soligalich, Kostroma region, some 20 women are employed to make the felt boots in the local factory
- However, the small town of 6,000 is shrinking as young people leave for the cities, risking the boot production
A female worker uses pieces of wood to shape dozens of traditional Russian felt boots in a small workshop in the little town of Soligalich, Kostroma region, about 370miles northeast of Moscow.
Russian towns like Soligalich, which has just 6,000 residents, are struggling to survive as young people leave for the big cities, while the older generations are left behind.
Soligalish has almost no industry or modern service sector, and apart from the little Valenki workshop, there is just a small cheese-milk factory, a bakery, and some lumber cooperatives.
Kicking it old school: A Russian female worker works on shaping Valenkis - a traditional Russian felt boot worn during winter months
Sticking to tradition: Two young girls walk through Soligalich, Kostroma region wearing Valenki, a boot that has been worn in Russia for several centuries
The Valenki workshop is at the centre of the town of Soligalich, Kostroma region, about 370miles northeast of Moscow
The women working in the Valenki factory are using old methods and machinery which has been in the workshop since it opened in the 1960s.
Some 20 women work in the small factory, and are paid around 120-200 euros per month (£93.5-£156), depending on how many Valenki boots are sold.
Valenki making has always been considered a safe business in Russia, because many people in villages prefer to wear them for winter, and as they are not waterproof and are worn out comparativelt quickly, many people buy a new pair each year.
The boots are made from raw wool of so-called Romanov sheep and manufacturing takes a couple of days, with a majority done by hand.
Small town life: With just 6,000 residents, Soligalich is one of the smallest minucipalities in Russia that still classifies as a town, and the area has almost no industry or modern service sector
Keeping it real: The Valenki 'factory' was build in the 1960s and still uses traditional methods and equipment to make the boots
Why change: Because the Valenki is made of sheep's wool, it is best work in cold dry weather, as wet snow is soaked up in the boot
Rolling in the feet: Two female workers roll out and measure felt for Valenki boots at the small workshop in Soligalich
Low risk: Valenki boot production has always been seen as a safe business in Russia, because many people in villages prefer to wear them for winter and - due to the wear and tear - often need to buy a new pair every year
The production starts with workers preparing wool leafs from raw wool, after which a special machine helps to makes non-woven wool fabric into rolls.
The workers make a 'stocking', which is several times larger then the final product, which is then boiled, making the fabric denser. The boiled Valenki boot is then shaped a a shoe-tree, before drying.
However, the Valenki production in Soligalich is at risk, as the younger generation shuns tradition, leaving no one to take over from the ageing workers in the factory.
The future of small towns like Soligalich depends on economic and policies of the Russian government,as they fall victim to a relatively fast transition from a socialist economy to a market economy.
Done by hand: A pair of Valenki boots costs around £15.50, and are worn in dry snowy weather in Russia
Can you felt me: A female worker uses an old machine to prepare wool leafs from raw wool for Valenki boots in the workshop in Soligalich
Staying alive: The small factory in provides jobs for about 20 people, who are paid around 120-200 euros per month (£93.5-£156), depending on how many Valenki boots are sold
Small town struggle: Apart from the workshop, Soligalich only has a small cheese-milk factory, a bakery, and some lumber cooperatives
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