Antique Fair

On the first Sunday of each month there is an antique fair held on the main street of Miskolc. Yesterday evening as I was updating my calendar I was glad to notice that today is the first Sunday of February which meant antique fair day. I came home at the very best time, for I finally got the chance to go to the fair again. The last time I had been to the antique fair was some time during last summer when it was unbearably hot. I had been planning to go ever since, but somehow I had never been around on the first Sunday of the month.

I have a thing for old things, I guess beacause I like history; however, not the kind that is found in the textbooks and taught in schools, but the kind that is hidden between the lines, that is buried in the souls and minds of the people, the stories behind the faces, and in the articles of personal use, in the items and goods of everyday lives, the things that were picked up, held, and used on a daily basis for several years. This is why I love visiting my Grandma, because every time I see her or hang out with her some old stories, some long forgotten things get unburied, and afterwards I feel like I had time-travelled for a little while. I feel the same about these antique fairs: they have a very special atmoshere, the kind that you won't find any other place or occasion when it comes to consuming. This antique fair in Miskolc is quite well-known and popular, has been held for ages, and both the costumers and sellers come from far-away places, even from abroad. Probably this is why some (most of?) things are rather pricy, and in some other cases the dealers have no idea what they are trying to sell and overprice their goods, and can never get rid of them. Even if you don't have money, it's fun to visit the fair, mainly because of the special amtmosphere and for the kind of time-travel you get to take part in. Plus there is incredibly delicious mulled-wine, coffee, tea, Hungarian twister (kürtőskalács), lángos, lepcsánka, and many other very Hungarian food are sold. 

Oh, and have I mentioned that there are tons and tons of books at the antique fair? Now these are really cheap, as you can get the finest of Hungarian literature (Kosztolányi, Mikszáth, Jókai, etc.) for about 100 ft a piece. Of course there are books costing more than a hundred forints, but there are mass amounts sold for this ridiculous price as well. 

Although I only went for the atmosphere, I ended up buying a couple of things: a book (Doktor Bubó, brings back my childhood!) and a fountain pen that writes wonderfully. I am really glad I got them! Next time I will have an eye out for an older fountain pen, you know, the kind that you don't put a cartridge in but dip in ink. (I have wanted to try such a pen ever since I saw Virginia Woolf writing with it in The Hours.)

So this morning I went, saw, took my camera with me, and wasn't afraid using it. Here's a pinch of how the antique fair in Miskolc looks and feels like: