Weekends are not exactly days to rest for MamaG, Eva and Gihan. Waking up early for church and making their way in crowded street markets, the three women make sure everyone is fed and together.

On her weekend shift, MamaG sets her table at work in her stall a little later, after church (which she's part of since 20 years). As the head of a collective baking system, she can't afford days off. On Sundays however, she doesn’t bring her food from home. Instead she buys it from a stall nearby. Despite having many close acquaintances in the market, she always eats alone or with her son. This reinforces her role as a respected figure in the community. 

Gihan’s weekend table is a round tray laid on a pillow on the carpet. It’s set just before the meal and removed once everyone in her family is done. The room in the small flat shifts between two functions, living and dining, allowing the largest area to be applied for each use at different times. The tray adequately accommodates both mother and children as they intimately eat on the floor sharing the dishes. 

Eva’s table arrangement for Christmas dinner was spontaneous. She made some space in the corner of her sewing area and her family stood and gathered around. For Eva, this setup is temporary. She knows that her home will eventually include a dining room and her family will be able to sit around a big table together.

Food markets

Eva, Gihan and MamaG rely on street food markets for their meals, and so does everyone else in their communities. From early in the morning until the evening, the vendors open their umbrellas to trade ingredients coming from all over the country.

Religion

An Orthodox church surrounded by Muslim call to to prayer; kids smash a  piñata at a  church without a priest; everyone is in their best outfit to talk to God.

Homes

A pink flat at the 5th floor; a patio shared with ten families; illegal electricity to light up the Christmas tree.