Krasnoyarsk is a south-central Siberian city with a population of over 1 million people. It is set on the very wide and fast flowing Yenisey River. It forms an important part of the trans Siberia railway, which is the longest single rail system in Russia, stretching From Moscow (9,198 km) east to Vladivostok and onto the port station of Nakhodka, the journey taking 8 days from end to end.
Krasnoyarsk is nne of the earliest Russian settlements in Siberia, founded in 1638. The later discovery of gold accelerating its growth. During WW2 many of the factories were relocated to Krasnoyarsk out of reach of the German army. Its factories have remained and in the 1960s one of the largest hydroelectric stations in the world was constructed on the Yenisey River. Krasnoyarsk is still a major industrial complex and one of the largest producers of aluminum in Russia. Engineering plants manufacture cranes, harvesters, bulldozers, lumbering equipment, television sets, and refrigerators also large-scale timber processing produces sawtimber, furniture, pulp, and paper. The city sits in a basin and at times can become polluted, but it has noticeably improved since my time there. Krasnoyarsk is also an educational centre with a forestry institute, university and medical institutes, and a number of research establishments.
Blessed with an amazing natural park inside the city`s boundaries, Stolby, is a popular area both in the winter and summer months and a great escape from the city. Stolby is loved by the people of Krasnoyarsk who visit to run or walk. It has fascinating volcanic rock formations at its summit some 7kms away.
I Have lived and worked in Krasnoyarsk for a number of years as a Governess for a wonderful Russian family. Provided with my own apartment and transport I travel daily to the family home which is about 30 minutes from the city centre. My flat is pretty standard for many in the city though there are many families living in small flats, a hang-over from the Soviet Union era where many families shared bathrooms and kitchens in communal houses. Krasnoyarsk is a city of contrast with the newer areas crammed with high rise buildings which are built at an alarming rate and populated with young families seeking to be upwardly mobile in a city with few entrepreneurial opportunities. The older areas comprise of more elegant established buildings and some old wooden houses that have remained despite the years of weather they have had to endure. Two main points spring to the fore when writing about Krasnoyarsk and that is the extreme winter temperatures which can and have reached minus 45 at times. And yet nothing changes, people go to work, children go to school, the shops are open, cafes are still busy, and cars and lorries still make their daily journeys. All houses are heated to the maximum during the winter and the locals will often be in t-shirt and shorts whilst inside. They love their saunas, and many uses them weekly to keep away the cold. Winter sports are popular in the area with a small ski centre close to the city centre. Krasnoyarsk held the University Winter Olympics in 2018. Children love to ice skate, play ice hockey and ski. A good coat, snow boots and lined trousers, gloves, scarves and hats are a definite must for the long cold winters. Even taking a short trip from car to the house leaves your eyelashes and your nose hairs feeling crispy! Summer in contrast is very warm and though relatively short lived often provides more settled sunny weather than in Europe. The second point about Krasnoyarsk is the lack of ex-pats in the city. By lack of, I mean, none! Unlike Moscow or St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk is not a tourist city. Whilst it has many daily flights to and from Moscow, they are mainly business-related trips. I don’t speak much Russian, but I can make myself understood using various methods. I am a curiosity when I visit the mall. Generally, though, the younger generations are very keen and happy to practice their English. There are some fluent English speakers in the city which is helpful especially when dealing with medical issues etc, but they are pretty few and far between. Living in Krasnoyarsk is challenging but it is an amazing experience to live in a totally unadulterated Russian city – you see it in its raw form and live as the locals do. Being independent and comfortable in your own company is essential and speaking a little Russian will endear you to those you meet. There are many cafes and bars in the city, so a social life is possible, but you have to work at it. I am so pleased I made the decision to live and work in Krasnoyarsk, I work for a very friendly, supportive family. I have learnt so much about Russian history, the Russian people and how to survive in minus 40-degree winters!
