The Bandar-e Anzali Fish Market, located in the heart of this historic port city near the Caspian Sea and Anzali Lagoon, was not just a place of commerce but an integral part of the city’s cultural and sensory identity. Situated on one of the busiest streets in the city center, the market represented the vibrancy of daily life, where sound, smell, and sight intermingled to create a uniquely immersive experience.
The cries of fishmongers during the “Chub-Zani” auctions to announce and determine fish prices, the murmurs of bargaining customers, and the distinctive aroma of sea air mixed with the scent of fresh fish all contributed to a rich soundscape that encapsulated the essence of Anzali. This multi-sensory environment not only activated auditory memories but also engaged other senses, offering visitors a holistic experience of life by the sea.
Today, the market has been relocated to a modern hall on the outskirts of the city, leaving behind a street that once thrived with noise and motion, now enveloped in heavy silence. The relocation feels as though part of the city’s spirit has been displaced. However, for those who stroll through the old streets, the echoes of “Chub-Zani” and the aroma of fresh fish still linger in memory, rekindling the sensory experience of a bygone era.
These photographs stand as a testament to those lively days, preserving memories of a market that was an audible, olfactory, and visual landmark of the city. Through these images, we are not only reminded of the lost vibrancy of this space but also invited to engage our senses and reconnect with the rhythms and stories of Bandar-e Anzali. Within these frames, the voice of Anzali lives on.
