A man who forges his own happiness

Nov 07 2013

Anton Agarkov

special to RBTH

Viktor has two kids. Both are too young to bring them to the smithy; but the eldest, who is now three, has already picked his favorite toy: a nine-pound hammer. "I have no idea how he is able to lift it; I thought even the three-pounder would be too heavy," the blacksmith laughs.

Anton Agarkov

It's hard to believe, but the Izmaylovo Vernissage, an outdoor arts and crafts fair in Moscow, has a real smithy. Every weekend the blacksmith who runs it, Viktor Mizgirev, gives classes in turning drab metal into something a lot more elegant. He has several apprentices; accidental passers-by, newlywed couples, and foreign tourists are also welcome at his smithy.

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