Piles of old books, press, and antiquary at oldest book market in Kyiv (VIDEO)

Petrivka is the oldest and largest book market in Kyiv. 

Its booksellers were keen on reading in Soviet times, but due to the tough economic conditions in the 1990s, they had to start selling off their libraries.

They began with a smaller, unofficial Sunday market at Kurenivsky Park, but in 1993 they moved to an area near Pochaina metro station, where they have remained for 26 years.