What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Boris Kavashkin, Yevgeny Nederya / TASS
Russian and Soviet villages don’t resemble anything else. Have you ever thought of visiting one and seeing how people live there? We take you back in time to take a look!

Enjoying electricity.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Arkady Shaykhet/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

But having to get water from a well…

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Boris Kosarev/M.Kosareva archive/russiainphoto.ru

…and carry the heavy water home.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Vladimir Sokolayev/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Having equine private transport.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
S.Zhatkov/Southern Urals historical museum/russiainphoto.ru

Always having to repair something.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Vsevolod Tarasevich/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Spending all the summer time outside…

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Viktor Yershov/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

…and trying to get warm on the stove in winter.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Boris Ignatovich/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Chopping firewood on your own (no matter how old you were) to warm the house.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Vladimir Bogdanov/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Gathering around the samovar

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
S.Burasovsky/russiainphoto.ru

…and doing a lot of housework (and helping parents).

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Kunstkamera/russiainphoto.ru

Having fancy interior decorations.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Rustam Mukhametzyanov/russiainphoto.ru

Having guards outside the house…

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Viktor Yershov/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

…and little naughty rascals inside.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Boris Kosarev/M.Kosareva archive/russiainphoto.ru

Taking care of multiple animals.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
russiainphoto.ru

Trusting your cow to a shepherd. 

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Leonid Shokin/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Enjoying the harvest from your own garden.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Denis Tyulenev archive/russiainphoto.ru

Having trouble taking a shower…

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Sergei Chilikov/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

…but enjoying the banya steam house.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Viktor Akhlomov/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Having to wash clothes in a river.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Denis Tyulenev archive/russiainphoto.ru

Gathering with neighbors.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Denis Tyulenev archive/russiainphoto.ru

Taking a rest on a soft hayloft…

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Sergei Chilikov/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

…but working hard in the field.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Denis Tyulenev archive/russiainphoto.ru

Having fun with a guitar.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Viktor Yershov/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Waiting for news from the capital…

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Viktor Akhlomov/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

…and enjoying guests from the capital.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Anatoly Boldin/MAMM/MDF/russiainphoto.ru

Getting married.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Alexander Kruzhkov/P.Sukharev archive/russiainphoto.ru

Giving birth…

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Mark Markov-Grinberg/russiainphoto.ru

…and being buried.

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Yevgeny Zyabkin/russiainphoto.ru

And, in general, living your best life!

What it was like to live in a Soviet village (PHOTOS)
Rustam Mukhametzyanov/russiainphoto.ru

    <