Organized as part of the “Conflict Reconciliation and Transformation” project, which is supported by USAID in Kosovo, this event aims to promote joint economic development and multi-ethnic bonding at the local level.
The market featured handmade products and domestic food products, and the exhibitors were women from various communities – Serbian, Albanian, Bosniak, Turkish…
There was a lot worth noting at the stands – from handmade jewelry, to clothing, wooden toys for children, homemade food products, winter cream, salves, herbal preparations, to a variety of seasonal flowers.
As Nemanja Nestorović from the NGO Community Building Mitrovica points out, women are the key actors of this event, which only speaks to the importance of their role in the local community.
“We gathered 20 participants, mostly female participants – women are the ones who are more pragmatic and practical when it comes to organizing any action at the local level. Our goal is to turn this market into an activity that will be held regularly every year,” says Nestorović.
This event is being organized for the third time already, in close proximity to the main bridge on the Ibar.
“We deliberately chose this location near the Mitrovica bridge because, unfortunately, in Mitrovica and beyond, this city carries a certain stigma and is not a place for people to meet, but for separation. That’s why we want to demystify his image and show him as he really is,” adds Nestorović.
The women who exhibited at this market expressed their satisfaction with the opportunity to display their products and establish contacts with potential customers.
One of them is Damira Badahir, from the northern part of Mitrovica, who sells wooden toys for children made by her husband.
They came up with the idea to start this business a few months ago, and were inspired by their two-year-old son.
They decided to produce toys made of hard material, i.e. wood, because, as he says, they are safe toys, environmentally friendly and last almost a lifetime. Although they are at the very beginning of the development of their business, Damira says that they are very satisfied with the sales.
And that the interest in these products is great, is also proven by the number of visitors to their stand at the multi-ethnic market of mixed goods.
“All this is nicely organized and it’s nice to gather in one place people who do manual work, who have their own small businesses.” This market will certainly help us, because we are at the very beginning, and this is nice, because customers come from the southern and northern part of the city, so I think it will be productive”, Damira is convinced.
Guljšen Lapaštica comes from the southern part of the city. She makes jewelry and crocheted items.
“I am very happy to be here, at this event. I do needlework, jewelry and crocheting. I crochet everything: blankets for children, for adults, for bedrooms, for beds, various types. “I came here to show and sell our handicrafts,” says Guljšen.
Her products are sold seasonally. In summer – costume jewelry and summer bags, and in winter, winter things – scarves and gloves. However, according to her words, you cannot make a living from this job alone, but it is significant as an additional source of income.
He says that there are people interested in his works, stressing the importance of this manifestation.
“The purpose of the market is good – at the right time, in the right place, with the right people.” This market can help me a lot in the future, because it is also an advertisement. The whole town comes, visits us. They have information that we are here today. I have acquired most of my clients through word-of-mouth advertising and through social networks. This market is a support for the future,” Guljšen believes.
People with disabilities, gathered in the “Together” organization, also found their place at the stand of this market.
Although they are active in jewelry production and sell their handicrafts in their organization, they always find time to respond to such actions.
“We always participate when CBM, as well as any other organization, organizes such events. We like to come, to show what we do, but also to see what other women are doing. “It’s not so important to sell, it’s important to connect and get to know other women,” says Merita Voca, head of the “Together” organization from South Mitrovica.
Ljiljana Dražević, a representative of the NGO “Inspiration” from the northern part of the city on the Ibar, is known for her unusual, unique, woven handicrafts.
However, as he says, it is not “classic, vintage weaving”, but a fusion of fashion and art woven with love for this craft.
In addition to making scarves, ponchos, asuras, she likes to make rugs from recycled bags, which were well received by the KFOR soldiers stationed on the bridge.
Yesterday, Ljiljani was joined by two other colleagues, who sell their products.
“Gordana Vlajić, Verica Zubac and I are here to show what we do and what we produce.” So far, all three of us have had customers, and that is one of the goals of this kind of meeting. We hang out with everyone who is here for the same reason.”
He believes that similar events should be organized more often.
“That way we become visible.” This is a form of advertising and a form of cooperation that has yet to take off. These are some first steps that we hope will be better and bigger,” said Ljiljana.
It seems that the goal of this manifestation has been achieved, at least according to the words of its participants.
Apart from the presentation and sale of products, this market also served as a platform for multi-ethnic networking and connection.
The participants and organizers express the hope that this market will become a regular annual manifestation that will contribute to a better understanding and connection of different communities in Mitrovica.
Finally, this event can serve as an example of how communities can work together to build inter-ethnic trust and cooperation.
By the way, within the same project, CBM and its partners organized the Coffee Festival two years ago. However, due to the disturbed political and security situation last year, this event was cancelled. Nevertheless, the organizers express optimism and expect that this year they will be able to revive the Coffee Festival again in the same place – the main Ibar bridge.
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Tags: Mitrovica Multiethnic market place socializing economic empowerment communities
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