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23 fotos

Russian war in Ukraine

Kyiv’s trunk of memories

Every weekend, the Pochaina neighborhood of the Ukrainian capital hosts a fascinating flea market. It has survived despite the war, which has blocked tourism and displaced thousands of citizens. Visitors can find almost anything, from flippers to a bust of Stalin

Luis de Vega

Jul 12, 2023 - 17:56CEST

A vendor offers his wares on the hood of a Lada car, a relic of the USSR years and a vehicle still commonly seen in Ukraine both near and far from the front lines. — A vendor offers his wares on the hood of a Lada car, a relic of the USSR years and a vehicle still commonly seen in Ukraine both near and far from the front lines.Luis De Vega Hernández

The perfectly aligned knives of this stand seem to play with the passage of time as marked by the accompanying clock. — The perfectly aligned knives of this stand seem to play with the passage of time as marked by the accompanying clock.Luis De Vega Hernández

History survives in this flea market in the form of discarded objects from inns and the walls of houses, such as busts of Stalin and Lenin. — History survives in this flea market in the form of discarded objects from inns and the walls of houses, such as busts of Stalin and Lenin.Luis De Vega Hernández

A large section of the Pochaina market is dedicated to the sale of used books. — A large section of the Pochaina market is dedicated to the sale of used books.Luis De Vega Hernández

The range of objects on sale is just as wide and difficult to classify as their vendors. — The range of objects on sale is just as wide and difficult to classify as their vendors.Luis De Vega Hernández

Keychains, pins, brooches, costume jewelry, old Soviet decorations... there is plenty to keep visitors entertained. — Keychains, pins, brooches, costume jewelry, old Soviet decorations... there is plenty to keep visitors entertained.Luis De Vega Hernández

Numerous dolls, of all types and sizes, fix their faces on prospective buyers as if imploring them to take them. — Numerous dolls, of all types and sizes, fix their faces on prospective buyers as if imploring them to take them.Luis De Vega Hernández

Flippers, a scuba mask, bicycles, suitcases without travelers, televisions... Anything goes at the flea market. — Flippers, a scuba mask, bicycles, suitcases without travelers, televisions... Anything goes at the flea market.Luis De Vega Hernández

There are many toys that look like they have just been dumped from a move or abandoned by a family during spring cleaning. — There are many toys that look like they have just been dumped from a move or abandoned by a family during spring cleaning.Luis De Vega Hernández

Many of the stalls are dedicated to military effects, outdated clothing or footwear that brings to mind the 'Chernobyl' series. — Many of the stalls are dedicated to military effects, outdated clothing or footwear that brings to mind the 'Chernobyl' series.Luis De Vega Hernández

War is no stranger to this stand at Pochaina flea market, which is selling a set of traditional matryoshkas representing, in this order, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. — War is no stranger to this stand at Pochaina flea market, which is selling a set of traditional matryoshkas representing, in this order, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.Luis De Vega Hernández

Haberdashery items also have their place, like these colorful bundles of sewing thread. — Haberdashery items also have their place, like these colorful bundles of sewing thread.Luis De Vega Hernández

The specialization of some of the stands, such as this one selling dozens of surgical scissors, is striking. — The specialization of some of the stands, such as this one selling dozens of surgical scissors, is striking.Luis De Vega Hernández

Makeshift tool boxes put to the test by the passage of time. — Makeshift tool boxes put to the test by the passage of time.Luis De Vega Hernández

The market does not attract many visitors. — The market does not attract many visitors.Luis De Vega Hernández

Some stalls carefully displaying Soviet-made cameras, many of which are copies of Germany's legendary Leica. Others have cameras end up thrown away in cardboard boxes like this one. — Some stalls carefully displaying Soviet-made cameras, many of which are copies of Germany's legendary Leica. Others have cameras end up thrown away in cardboard boxes like this one.Luis De Vega Hernández

Pushed back against a corner, visible but not featured, two Hitler portraits sit in a stall. — Pushed back against a corner, visible but not featured, two Hitler portraits sit in a stall. Luis De Vega Hernández

Some vendors sell their wares in cargo containers and spend Sunday waiting for buyers. — Some vendors sell their wares in cargo containers and spend Sunday waiting for buyers.Luis De Vega Hernández

Some of the stalls are filled with collections of toy cars that look just old rather than vintage. — Some of the stalls are filled with collections of toy cars that look just old rather than vintage.Luis De Vega Hernández

These orphaned camera cases are a good representation of the wide range of trinkets that visitors can find at the Pochaina flea market. — These orphaned camera cases are a good representation of the wide range of trinkets that visitors can find at the Pochaina flea market.Luis De Vega Hernández

Books on sale in the sun. Behind the fence is the railroad. The sound of trains is part of the soundtrack of the Pochaina flea market. — Books on sale in the sun. Behind the fence is the railroad. The sound of trains is part of the soundtrack of the Pochaina flea market.Luis De Vega Hernández

There are objects that take on a second life, like this item which is used to display necklaces. — There are objects that take on a second life, like this item which is used to display necklaces.Luis De Vega Hernández

Two men kill time playing chess while waiting for customers. — Two men kill time playing chess while waiting for customers.Luis De Vega Hernández

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