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  • Why: Siege Where: Leningrad

    “Kisiel” made out of a carpentry glue

    Recipe for Glue “Kisiel” (Siege of Leningrad)

    During the Siege of Leningrad (1941-1944), people were driven to extreme measures to survive the starvation caused by the blockade. One of the desperate solutions was making food from non-edible materials, including wood glue (also known as carpenter’s glue) made from animal bones. This glue contained gelatin, which people would boil down to create a jelly-like substance, similar in texture to kisiel (a traditional dessert in Eastern Europe), though it was never intended as food. This method, while offering minimal nutritional value, became a survival tactic for many civilians trapped in the besieged city.

    Ingredients:

    • Carpenter’s glue (made from animal bones)
    • Water

    Instructions:

    1. Preparation: Break the dried wood glue into small pieces.
    2. Boiling: Place the glue pieces into a pot of water and boil it for several hours until the glue dissolves completely, forming a thick gelatinous mixture.
    3. Serving: Once cooled, the glue mixture solidifies into a jelly-like consistency. This substance would be consumed as a desperate source of calories during the siege.
    4. Serve without drinking water: Consuming this glue would create a false sense of satiety, but it would also make people extremely thirsty. Survivors often noted that avoiding water after eating was crucial to maintaining that fleeting sense of fullness.

     

    The Siege of Leningrad (September 8, 1941 – January 27, 1944) was one of the longest and most devastating sieges in history, lasting 872 days during World War II. It occurred when Nazi German and Finnish forces encircled Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), cutting the city off from supplies of food, fuel, and essential resources. The goal of the blockade was to starve the population into surrender, resulting in widespread starvation and devastation.

    Living Conditions During the Siege

    The citizens of Leningrad endured horrific conditions. Following the bombing of key food storage facilities, starvation became the greatest threat. Rationing became increasingly severe, with bread, often mixed with sawdust and other fillers, being one of the only available food sources. Daily rations dropped to a few ounces per person. In the most desperate times, residents resorted to eating non-food items such as glue, wallpaper paste, leather belts, and even engaged in acts of cannibalism.

    The winter of 1941-1942 was especially harsh. The lack of heating, electricity, and clean water caused thousands of deaths from cold, malnutrition, and disease. It is estimated that 1.5 million people died during the siege, mainly civilians who succumbed to hunger, exhaustion, or constant shelling.

    The Resilience of the Citizens

    Despite the appalling conditions, the people of Leningrad demonstrated extraordinary resilience. The city, though cut off from external support, never surrendered. Factories within the besieged city continued to produce weapons, and daily survival became a symbol of Soviet endurance. Aid was brought in through the so-called Road of Life, a dangerous supply route across the frozen Lake Ladoga. This lifeline provided limited relief, allowing the survival of some residents.

    Aftermath and Legacy

    When the siege ended in January 1944, Leningrad was in ruins, and its population was greatly diminished. The blockade became a symbol of sacrifice, heroism, and the indomitable spirit of its citizens. It remains one of the most tragic chapters of World War II, a stark reminder of the horrors of war and the extreme suffering inflicted on civilian populations.

    The Siege of Leningrad is remembered as one of the worst acts of genocide and war crimes of the time, given that the German forces deliberately sought to starve the city’s inhabitants.

    During the siege of Leningrad, about 750,000 civilians died (mostly of starvation) – that’s more than three times the death toll of the combined nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

     

    Irina lives on the Majakowski street, in a large and nice tenement house. The yard is flooded with impurities. A narrow path led me to the front door. The door, leading to the apartment, was wide open. Silence filling out the corridor. The sound of my footsteps rolled in front of me like a bowling ball. Irina was squatting in front of the bourgeoisie cooking something. A huge sheepskin was thrown over her back and chest, all covered in dense curls, tied with a string in several places.

     – I never take this off. She almost grew into me, she said, noticing that I was watching her closely.

    – You could achieve the full impression by having a cat.

    – I used to have a cat, but I ate it.

    – What are you cooking?

    – Jelly out of a carpentry glue.

    Jelly was ready, so she dug in. Obviously, she didn’t share any with me. It was long since we gave up this habit of offering anything anyone.

    – Why it’s so quiet in here? I asked to distract myself from the food.

    – Some left, others died. They lie in every room.

    – Who?

    – These dead ones.

    – Why aren’t they taking them away?

    – And who would ‘they’ be?

    I mentioned that to the administrator but he answered that they can lie a little longer, as it’s cold and there will be no smell.

    – So you are alone in the whole apartment?

    – There’s one at the end of the corridor. Every night he makes his way to my door. Probably he wants to eat me… I am sleeping with a knife. – From under her pillow, she pulled out a large kitchen knife showing it off to me. We went to the institute, but there was hardly anyone there. And those who were there, knew nothing.*1

     

    1* 28th February 1942 Leningrad. Jelena Koczyna “Journal of the lock time”.

     

    Photo: Kevin Demaria

     

     

     

     

     

     

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