Pazar (Marketplace)

Open every day except Mondays, Yoshkar-Ola's central marketplace (pazar) is busy and crowded. From beer to a walkman to women's underwear, you name it, they have it. The place is mutli-ethnic and, though the dominance of Russian is undeniable, many people don't hesitate to show that they feel more comfortable talking with each other in Tatar. Even the less confident Mari are starting to assert themselves linguistically in the town.

Photos 1: Üdramash (Woman) (1).
©1997 by Kazuto Matsumura
Photos 2: Üdramash (Woman) (2).
©1997 by Kazuto Matsumura
Photo 3: A babushka with courgettes.
©1997 by Kazuto Matsumura

Photos 4: At the butcher's (1).
©1997 by Kazuto Matsumura
Photos 5: At the fishmonger's (2).
©1997 by Kazuto Matsumura

Photos 6: In the open air and in the hall (1).
©1997 by Kazuto Matsumura
Photos 7: In the open air and in the hall (2).
©1997 by Kazuto Matsumura

Photos 8: A busy "street" in the martketplace (1).
©1997 by Kazuto Matsumura
Photos 8: A busy "street" in the martketplace (2).
©1997 by Kazuto Matsumura
Last modified: Nov 10, 2002