IMAGINATIONS KIOSK
ARCHIVE
KIOSK'S FIRST STOP:
PRISHTINA, KOSOVO, 2025
For 7 days, we dedicated ourselves to getting to know the Prishtina market through its workers. Here we share some of their stories.
The Imaginations Kiosk opened in the market for two days to share its Tour, with its map and audio guide, with anyone who'd like to experience it.
THE EMBROIDERY ARTIST AND HER FRIEND
She sells fabrics, embroideries, crafts, and traditional clothing made by herself.
In this very market, her father had a firewood and lumber stall in the 1970s; she remembers coming here as a child with him.
Here, she started working after the war. Her husband and son were killed during the war, and she had to become the breadwinner for her family.
She started coming to the market to sell everything she makes. Today, she also sells the things made by a friend.
When she sleeps, she dreams of embroidering and sewing. When she dreams of doing something, she doesn't stop until she accomplishes it. She imagines how to do it, and she does it.
She tells us that before the war, the Bazaar was better maintained and cleaner. Currently, there are problems with water and electricity. In winter, it gets very cold.
Her friend tells us that during the war they went to Australia, but they only stayed for 3 months because her husband was very sick and wanted to be buried in Kosovo when he died.
She wouldn't like to travel; she never did. If she were to do it, she thinks she would sleep on the asphalt.
As I am doing all the time, when I sleep, I dream about my work.
THE MAN OF THE SHOE SOLES AND THE ROSARIES
He speaks little, has a tiny stall which is a small table in the middle of a hallway.
He went to Sweden in 1992 for 10 months, but he returned because he didn't have papers, and he often dreams about how his life would have been if he hadn't come back.
THE MAN AT THE WATCH STALL
He sells and repairs watches; he does everything at great speed. He has a lot of skill in his craft, and it's clear he has a loyal clientele.
He always worked alone, but now, every so often, family members come to help.
He arrives at 6:30 in the morning, has breakfast, cleans everything, and tidies up. Then, he starts working.
At the market, everything is cheaper than in other places. However, he tells us that the number of people coming is 50% less after the war. When we asked him what the Bazaar meant to him, he said it was his source of money, nothing more.
During the war, he spent five months in Berlin and returned because he missed the food from Kosovo: "Even in Albania, you can't find the same food as here."
His dream was for Kosovo to become independent. Today, he only thinks about his family being well and work.
My son speaks many languages, I always told him: read, there's nothing better for intelligence and with that, they can't take advantage of you.
THE WOMAN FROM THE HABERDASHERY WHO DREAMS OF A WOMEN'S ATELIER
They had had that place since before the war. They renovated it in the 90s. Everything they sell is handmade, and they also sell wholesale. It's a family business. Her father has been working here since 1983 and the whole family is dedicated to this.
Before they sold jumpers and quilts, but now they mostly sell accessories to add to dresses and clothes.
She really enjoys working here, talking to the customers. She started when she was ten years old and studied at the same time. She went to college and has two children. What she likes to do the most is make accessories for traditional dance. Her mom, dad, and siblings also do it.
She believes that the Bazaar is very important for Prishtina, although, unfortunately, it has declined a lot in recent years. Fewer people come, but what you find here cannot be found anywhere else. She recounts that once, a lady searched for a thread for two years and had been told it no longer existed, but she had it. Since she sews and embroiders, she knows which pieces to look for and where to find them to bring them to her business.
Her dream has always been to have her own atelier and to employ women.
Work and employ many women. They know very well how to do the weaving, but maybe they lack the idea. And if someone told them the idea, they would surely do it very well.
THE FISHERMAN WHO SELLS SECOND-HAND CLOTHES
He has been working at the Bazaar for 10 years.
When he was young, his dream was to be a fisherman, and he did it for many years. He tells us that in his life he has had 25,000 fishing days. He fished in the sea, in lakes, and in different places.
The market is very important for Prishtina because without it the city has no life, he says. For example, "if this place closed, I would starve because I buy everything here."
His wish for the community is that everyone coexist without conflicts, for it to be a community among all.
He considers that he hasn't had luck in his life, but fishing was his beacon: "Fishing was very expensive, and I walked 30 kilometers just to not give up that dream."
CREDITS / PRISHTINA, SEPTEMBER 2025
Idea and creation: Cecilia Gil Mariño y Ana Schmukler
General Production Kosovo: Lendita Idrizi- Leni Productions
Interviews: Cecilia Gil Mariño, Ana Schmukler y Lendita Idrizi
Albanian-Spanish interpreters interviews: Lendita Idrizi y Jetmir Idrizi
Graphic identity and poster design: Lautaro Parada - web
Audioguide sound montage: Ana Schmukler
Map drawing: Ana Schmukler
Photograph of public opening days: Jetmir Idrizi - IG
With the support of Foundation 17- https://foundation17.org/
We´ d like to thank: Artrit Bytyçi, Martín Farina, and all the people who work in the market and shared their time and stories with us.
