The Pochaina neighborhood of the Ukrainian capital comes alive every weekend when hundreds of people flock to its famous flea market in search of treasures.
Antique hunters, collectors and many others search through seemingly endless rows of trinkets and timeworn items. There is a strange mix that includes relics from the Soviet era such as decorative medals, ceramic pieces with portraits of communist leaders, Cold War gas masks and articles of military uniforms.
Despite Ukraine banning Soviet and Nazi symbols in 2015 in an attempt to distance itself from its totalitarian past, sellers, buyers and security forces seem unfazed by the broad daylight sale of these historic relics.
“It’s purely commercial, there are no (USSR) supporters here. Items like these are in high demand,” said Kristian Zander, a 49-year-old vendor, pointing to the “We buy USSR relics” sign on his stall. There he displays kitchen utensils, hunting knives, Soviet insignia and bottle openers.
The market has survived the Russian war in Ukraine, although tourists have disappeared and the purchasing power of most Ukrainians has dropped.
Even as more and more shoppers have to tighten their belts, the market continues to offer a wide and eclectic variety of products for those with money to spend.
A single booth might have items ranging from almost vintage VHS tapes, World War II dinnerware, manicure scissors, name-brand knockoffs, decades-old lingerie, and broken media players or guitars. The seller hopes to sell his pieces at low prices rather than throw them away.
