February 27 2007, 10:00

Odesa people may lose famous "PRIVOZ" market

It is possible that Odesa loses one of the city symbols, "PRIVOZ" market. The famous market will be closed for a long-term reconstruction, Reporter informs.

The "business card" of Odesa will be entirely reconstructed. It is proposed to destroy nearly everything including old bazar counters described by Babel, and small pavilions which are more than hundred fifty years old.

The reconstruction is planned for two years. The vendors will not be allowed to trade on the market territory during this period: though, they are the people which mot and witty jokes made "Privoz" market known throughout the world. The city inhabitants worry that Odesa seems to lose its symbol.

The market strongly needs to be entirely repaired, Boris Monakhov says, the Director of "Privoz" market. The utility system was constructed here more than a hundred years ago. He says that the ground flour will look like it is now after the reconstruction. New modern counters will be constructed instead of the old ones. Two more flours for the entertainment center and the benches will be built instead of the market roof.

Boris Monakhov confirms: "The things will be as they are now: counters, old women, potato, fish. It will just look differently. People have been trading here and telling jokes for 20-30 years, this spirit will be retained".

Some efforts to reconstruct "Privoz" market have already been undertaken; though, they were smaller in scale.

But, old counters disappeared, and significantly fewer buyers are coming here. As before, meat and tasty southern fruits are sold here; however, such "Privoz" reminds the cold and sad supermarket.

The reconstruction will be started less than in a month.