Despite the morning frost, many people are smiling warmly near the bridge by Loznica’s green market, where sellers of firewood and Christmas decorations have been set up since the beginning of the month. One such seller, Božidar Mršić from the Loznica neighborhood of Gradilište, has been drawing smiles for the past five years with his unique approach to pricing.
“How can there be no price? It’s simple. Not everything needs a price tag. I’ve never set a price for my firewood, even though I’ve been selling it here for half a decade. People ask how much, and I always say, ‘Whatever you feel like giving.’ They’re all surprised, some think I’m joking, but they smile genuinely when they realize I’m serious. Some give 20, some 50, 100, or even 200 dinars. Someone will come, like a piece of firewood, and I’ll say 200, but if they don’t have that much, well, can they just go away empty-handed? This way, everyone gives what they can and everyone’s happy,” says Božidar, whose name might just influence his unique “market” approach.
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He says that sales have been a bit slower this year. “It used to be much busier in the first two days. Maybe it’ll pick up, we’ll see,” says Božidar, interrupting himself to tell a customer, “Whatever you feel like giving.” The customer hands him 200 dinars. He says it’s cold, but he’s enduring it because he needs to earn something and celebrate the holiday properly.
The offer of firewood in Loznica is good this year, with plenty available around the bridge. Prices range from 100 dinars for the smallest ones to over a thousand dinars for the larger ones. People mostly buy firewood for around 100 or 200 dinars, which can fit inside apartments, while larger ones, leaning against roofs, are bought by those with houses. There are also bags of straw for 100 dinars, trays with wheat and a candle, and firewood stands ranging from 150 to 500 dinars, depending on the complexity of the arrangement and the seller’s mood that day.
Although people spend a lot during the New Year’s Eve celebrations, there’s always money left for Christmas, the festive table, roast, and everything else that goes with it. Many people like to have a piece of firewood in front of their door because what’s Christmas without it? After the New Year’s shopping frenzy, stores are now filled with people buying for Christmas. The streets are full of pedestrians and cars, not only from Loznica but also from neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the diaspora has returned home for the holidays. January is the first month of the year, but for many, it’s also the longest in terms of budget, but as someone said, “As long as we’re celebrating.”
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Source: Kurir, Photo: Kurir/T.Ilić