For two days, the Ukrainian port city of Odessa made a guest appearance at Markthalle Neun, enriching the large weekly market not only with artisanal (food) products but also with stories and recipes.

After all, what truly enriched the market were the encounters and exchanges, the hugs, and the stories. Food writer Maria Kalenska presented her cookbook*Cuisines of Odesa*, in which she has compiled recipes and stories from more than 100 families. That evening, a communal dinner followed with her and the Villa Tinta winery, where some of these recipes—as well as curious visitors and friends—were served.

Together, everyone ate, listened, tasted, and learned. These encounters demonstrate how closely food, craftsmanship, and cultural identity are intertwined, and how a market can become a place for stories, exchange, and connection.