The flea market in the Sarajevo neighborhood of Stup is an essential meeting point for the citizens of the Sarajevo Canton. It is a place where you can buy, at affordable prices, every good you can imagine. Every Sunday, this market becomes the epicenter of trade, where a diverse range of goods is displayed on improvised stalls, the smoke from grills stinging your eyes. If the hubbub gets a little too much, you may eat or rest for a while, listening to the sounds of voices echoing through speakers, “Everything at a bargain!” or “Almost gone!”.
In addition to a diverse range of goods, including the latest market favorite, the Volkswagen Golf, the flea market is brimming with liveliness and an energy that is palpable in the air. Everyone is satisfied: from sellers making a living, to buyers who can find a good bargain in times of increasing inflation.
The flea market at Stup, like other flea markets in Bosnia and Herzegovina, are popular destinations for shopping and for getting a glimpse of how ‘ordinary people’ live. Unlike shopping malls, where prices are significantly higher and there is no possibility of bargaining, flea markets offer the chance to find something you can’t find anywhere else.
We visited the flea market at Stup to observe the relationship between sellers and buyers, as well as to experience the spirit and charm of this Sarajevo market, which operates every Sunday.
Making a Living at the Flea Market
Avdo Halilović is a vendor at the Stup flea market. He says he spots the goods he has sold everywhere he goes. He has been running his stand for seven years now, and he’s there without exception every Sunday.
“At my stand, you can find, as they say, anything from soup to nuts. The books and records I sell are old but very well-preserved. I have all sorts of old stuff here, some even from my grandfather,” he explains.
As he relies on sales from the flea market to make a living, he adds that during the first Sundays of the month, when pensions and salaries are paid, there are many more customers. “During the first Sundays of the month, we all make good sales. That’s when everyone comes with money in their pocket, looking for something for themselves. I see how important it is to each person when they find something they need at an affordable price. And I always try to give a discount, especially to students,” says the vendor.
Many refer to the flea market at Stup as the “car market” because the space was once designated for the sale of cars. Although it used to be full of cars, we now notice that their number is significantly lower. The reason for this lies in the increasing popularity of online sales, which has changed the dynamics of this market. Nevertheless, Volkswagen Golfs are still present at the market, as the most common cars on offer, along with a few other brands and vans.
“When my father was selling cars here fifteen years ago, the situation was completely different. I remember how he managed to sell up to four cars a month. I remember that well because as a young man, I often helped him. However, today it’s completely different. Car sellers can barely manage to sell one car a month, and often not even that,” explains Ramo Delić, who has turned to selling car parts, which has proven to be a much more profitable business. He tells us that he earns decently every Sunday and is very satisfied.
Cheap Thrills for Students
Adin Alispahić, a Product Design student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo, mentions that he often finds things at the flea market that he would never expect to find in such a space. He subsequently dubs the market “a small souvenir shop”. When Adin visits the flea market to buy clothes, he is surprised by how affordable the prices are compared to stores and online second-hand platforms.
“Here, we see various products, often at very reasonable prices. What particularly fascinates me is the variety of offerings – from cameras and DVD sets, to old video games,” says Adin, who often visits the flea market at Stup with his girlfriend Adna Šišić, who studies restoration at the same faculty.
Both students are fascinated by the market and emphasize that they often find inspiration and necessary materials for their projects. For Adna, heading to the market is like an adventure in search of hidden treasure. “There’s everything, from sneakers to German sweets, and the prices are unimaginably low. I often buy ornaments and clothes for the price of one item that I would pay in a shopping center. I can get more and better things at the flea market,” says Adna.
However, Adna also emphasizes that interaction with the sellers can sometimes be uncomfortable, as they often assume that, if you give the slightest bit of attention, you’ve already decided to buy something.
The flea market at Stup continues to tirelessly attract its visitors and offers them the opportunity for affordable shopping. Despite changes in shopping habits and increasing economic challenges, this flea market retains its importance and charm for the local population. Every Sunday, it becomes a meeting place for people from different walks of life, offering them the chance to find something special for themselves or simply enjoy strolling around and browsing what’s on offer.
