Jelena Radeta is a vendor of the street paper Liceulice in Belgrade, Serbia. In spite of all medical diagnoses she received, starting from the doctor's recommendation that her parents leave her in an institution, through the inadequate therapy she received in the early days, this she has a positive outlook, now works two jobs and is one of the most experienced vendors of Liceulice magazine. She proudly points out that the wishes of people with disabilities are no different than anyone else – to find a permanent job and start a family.

Liceulice vendor Jelena Radeta: “I am not ashamed of being a person with a disability”

Everyone who is a part of the global street paper network knows what a street paper is – that extends to the staff that put each publication together and those who buy them. But the people who truly know what a street paper is – what it means – are those who sell them. Here, a collection of street paper vendors – from North Macedonia to Canada – tell us, in their own words, what a street paper is, personally to them.

“The street paper saved my life” – what street papers are in the words of those who sell them

Although unemployment and precarity are most often discussed in connection with young and educated people, in Serbia, unfavourable conditions in the labour market have in recent decades mostly affected older women. Hundreds of thousands of women who were employed in industries such as textiles in socialist Yugoslavia were left without a job and the right to a pension due to the collapse of the economy and privatisation. Liceulice writes about the invisibility of women over 45 in the labour market, and the “double lives” of older women who opt for uncertain and illegal jobs as caregivers in Germany.


Workplace discrimination leads to exploitation of Serbian women in Germany

Nataša Bojanić – or Naca – is a familiar face to all those who pass her pitch in Belgrade, where she has been selling Liceulice for more than ten years. During those years, she has experienced many things – some bitter and some sweet. But Naca has learned to deal with the occasional inconveniences she faces, and she remains cheerful and determined not to give up.

On Liceulice vendor Nataša Bojanić: “Engaging in different situations, ranging from positive to the negative ones, gave Naca a greater sense of independence”

Anica was starting to hit her stride as a Liceulice vendor when the pandemic hit. Then came fourteen and a half months in isolation: Anica lives in a retirement home, as she needs supported accommodation, and had to isolate to protect the other residents. Now that she can get out into the world again, Anica hopes to leave the retirement home for her own living space. She is also hopeful that other people with disabilities will raise their voices along with hers in a world that often ignores them.

Liceulice’s Anica Klepo on shielding during the pandemic, speaking up for the rights of disabled people, and finally being able to sell the street paper again

In the nine years that he has been selling Liceulice, Tomislav Martic has been chosen as vendor of the month several times. But things weren’t easy for him at the start. Martic credits Living Together, which is run by Liceulice’s partner organisation – the Association for Helping People with Developmental Disabilities, with helping him to overcome the shyness and discomfort he felt when engaging with others. Nowadays he views the organisation as a second home.

Liceulice vendor Tomislav Martic: "My work has had such a positive effect on me"

Stefan Gogov, 47, started selling Serbian street paper Liceulice four years ago when he returned to his mother’s native country, Serbia, after growing up in France. He enjoys keeping busy and appreciates that his life is no longer monotonous.