Hinz&Kunzt vendor Peter gets the send off he deserves
For Hinz&Kunzt vendor Peter, the Kiez area was his home. After his death, his colleagues, friends and neighbours honoured him with a funeral march through St. Pauli. The tour ended in the pub called Silbersack – so did Peter’s sales tours in the past.
A day in the life of a Sorgenfri vendor
Only vendors know the realities of what it is like to sell Norwegian street paper Sorgenfri to the public. Last year, after being challenged to do so by a vendor, the publication’s Trond Ola Tilseth spent a day selling the magazine on the streets of Trondheim.
Our vendors: Nicusor (Big Issue North, Manchester, UK)
Nicusor, 56, comes from Romania and has been selling Big Issue North since 2016. He tells us about his hopes of finding work as a carpenter in the future, learning English and the joy that he finds in playing music.
New Year, New Covers: A fresh batch of January front pages for 2018
The decorations are packed away, resolutions have been made (and already broken!), and the dieting has begun. This can only mean one thing…a new year – and a new batch of street paper covers – is upon us!
Our vendors: Klara Khanova Iqbal (Augustin, Vienna, Austria)
Klara has been selling Augustin in Vienna for seven years. She tells us about her life as a street paper vendor, her sadness at being separated from her children and the companionship that she enjoys with her dog, Rocky.
Our vendors: Emmanuel Salter (Real Change, Seattle, USA)
Emmanuel Salter has travelled all over the USA, driven by his thirst for adventure. Now a Real Change vendor in Seattle, Emmanuel looks back on his life and reflects on the present, in which his is not homeless but ‘home-free’.
Part of Apropos for 20 years: An Interview with vendor Luise Slamanig
Apropos, the street paper of Salzburg, Austria, recently its 20th anniversary. To mark that, one of its longest serving vendors, Luise Slamanug, sat down with the publication’s chief editor, Michaela Gründler, for an interview about what life has been like at Apropos over the last 20 years.
Season’s greetings from Megaphone vendors
Vendors from Vancouver, Canada street paper Megaphone share with us their thoughts on the past year, as well as what it’s like working as a street paper vendor around Christmas time.
Vendor moments 2017: “The paper, that helped. I’m really grateful for that”
In the final instalment of our series of vendor profiles looking back on the memorable moments of 2017, Strassenkreuzer vendors Günter and Marco go into detail about how their year went.
Vendor moments 2017: “I succeeded with all the perseverance I have”
Budimir, a Kralji Ulice vendor in Ljubljana, became stateless after becoming a victim of the conflict that led to the break-up of Yugoslavia. He spent the past year fighting for compensation and justice.
Vendor moments 2017: “I try to present myself as humble as possible”
As we approach the end of our look back at 2017, Street Speech vendors in Columbus, Ohio tell us about the importance of family.
Vendor moments 2017: “This has been a year of change in Germany”
In our special series of featured street paper vendors looking back on the year just gone, the idea that 2017 was a turbulent year has been a common theme. In this instalment, three Tagessatz vendors talk about how political change in Germany has affected them.
Vendor moments 2017: “Just every day of 2017 was memorable”
As 2017 draws to a close, we asked vendors across the global street paper network to look back on the highs and lows of their year. Today, Paulette, a Street Roots vendor in Portland, explains that, despite getting on a bit, she is still full of a lust for life.
Vendor moments 2017: “I’m totally in awe of being a vendor nowadays”
In his look back on 2017, The Contributor vendor Maurice talks about what he has learned in the past year that has made him the best vendor he can be.
Vendor moments 2017: “It feels like I moved one step up the stairs”
2017 saw Big Issue Japan vendor Makoto strike up a relationship with his fellow vendors, learn how to cook and become a more well-rounded person.
Vendor moments 2017: “I manage somehow”
Not every vendor’s year has been taken up with seismic, life-changing events. For some, such as Lice v Lice’s Suhamet, 2017 has just been about getting by – from renovating his house, to keeping his family clothed and fed.
Vendor moments 2017: “Let’s not forget our original resolution”
As 2017 draws to a close, we asked vendors across the global street paper network to look back on the highs and lows of their year. Regardless of whether it’s football, photography or calligraphy, Moon Young-soo understands the importance of the beauty in his life this past year.
Vendor moments 2017: “This is my people’s country, this is my country, and I don’t understand why we haven’t got it yet”
Allan, a proud Aboriginal man from Wurundjeri country, and a Big Issue Australia vendor for 21 years, has spent his 2017, as he has most years of his life, fighting for his people and his culture to be properly recognised.
Vendor moments 2017: “You really have to put in the effort”
Street paper vendors across the world come into contact with many different people everyday. Most of the time, those interactions are pleasant, but not everyone automatically treats vendors with the respect and equality they do everyone else. Arno, who sells FiftyFifty in Düsseldorf, describes one such negative experience from this past year.
Vendor moments 2017: The Pirate’s Christmas
‘The Pirate’ has been living on the streets for 17 years. He tells Hus Forbi about his experiences and about his plans for Christmas Eve – which involve a few beers, a bit of strong tobacco and loud techno music.
Christmas Covers: we unwrap December’s street paper front pages
With Christmas just around the corner, street papers around the world have been getting into the Yuletide spirit and emblazoning their front covers with all things festive!
Vendor moments 2017: “I am no longer afraid”
Gustavo has found himself surprised and impressed with the kindness of the people he meets in his work as a Factor S vendor in Uruguay. 2017 has left him with a greater hope for humanity.
Vendor moments 2017: “There’s too much drama”
As 2017 draws to a close, we asked vendors across the global street paper network to look back on the highs and lows of their year. Dwayne, a Denver Voice vendor, has spent 2017 getting his things in order with the hope of moving off the streets.
Vendor moments 2017: “I am just trying to be myself, keep smiling and be grateful for people’s solidarity”
Shedia vendors Nick and Apostolos had very different experiences in 2017. Nick was moved to write an emotional and well-received piece for the street paper, while Apostolos’ sporting skills were shown off at the Homeless World Cup.
Vendor moments 2017: “At least the job makes me feel like a normal person”
For many street paper vendors, getting the opportunity to sell the paper us a lifeline. For Long-Zhu, Li, in Taiwan, this is no different, and his sales figures for the past year are his proudest achievement of 2017.
Street Roots’ Israel Bayer steps down as director after 15 years at the helm
After 15 years at Portland street paper Street Roots, Israel Bayer has stepped down from his position as director. Speaking to INSP, he reflects on his time there, what it has been like working as part of the global street paper network, and what’s next for him and the organisation.
Our vendors: Gerald (Hinz&Kunzt, Hamburg, Germany)
Gerald is a Hinz&Kunzt vendor who sells the magazine from his pitch in front of the Haspa Spitalerstraße in Hamburg. He tells us about his difficult childhood, years spent in prison and his dreams of becoming a chef.
Vendor moments 2017: “I am looking forward to pursuing my dreams”
Hristo’s year as a Faktum vendor, and Bulgarian immigrant, has been taken up by his quest to find steady work. Despite the bureaucratic obstacles put in front of him, Hristo remains optimistic.