Story of a journey
Azize Mama is Cameroonian and has been living in Brussels for five years. Among other jobs, he sells African objects on the flea market located at Place du Jeu de Balle three times a week.
Saturday, April 28, 2018, I follow him through his morning at work. We meet at his spot, n°424, which becomes a social observatory on the market. Tensions or solidarities between sellers, more or less friendly exchanges with visitors, greetings from friends of the neighborhood: the market resembles a hectic theater piece. Sitting behind the masks and statues displayed on a sheet laid on the ground, we wait for clients… To pass the time, we discuss Azize’s trip connecting Africa to Europe. He mentions the difficulties leaving in the first place and the hard times integrating once he had arrived, the kindness of some good-hearted friends and the ruthlessness of some selfish employers. The story is not only remarkable but also highlights its teller’s wisdom, humor, and generosity.
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