Beer? A diploma? A house? Bolivian modest hopes and dreams in miniature in pictures | Working in

At the Alasitas festival this week Bolivians offer up models of their desires to Ekeko, the Andean god of abundance. Photographer Eduardo Leal captures some of the most popular Eduardo Leal Fri 27 Jan 2017 11.18GMT Last modified on Fri 6 Oct 2017 13.13BST

Beer? A diploma? A house? Bolivian modest hopes and dreams in miniature – in pictures

At the Alasitas festival this week Bolivians offer up models of their desires to Ekeko, the Andean god of abundance. Photographer Eduardo Leal captures some of the most popular

Eduardo Leal

Main image: A miniature model of a suitcase full of money on sale during the Alasitas festival Photograph: Eduardo Leal

Fri 27 Jan 2017 11.18 GMT Last modified on Fri 6 Oct 2017 13.13 BST

  • The millionaire’s suitcase

    This suitcase comes with dollars, euros or Bolivianos, travel tickets, a passport, credit card, a laptop and a mobile phone. It even comes with phonecards so people can have endless credit on their mobile for the year.

  • The university degree

    Students look for this so as not to fail any subjects during the academic year.

  • The party

    Beer is a popular Bolivian drink, and Bolivians can always find an excuse for a party.

  • The business

    In Bolivia working for someone else often means lower wages, so many people dream of owning their own business. Pharmacies are one of the most profitable businesses as there is always a need for medicines, but there are also miniatures of any kind of businesses at the festival. The car park in front of the shop is a sign of prosperity and financial success.

  • The family basket

    This model represents having enough food at home during the year. Just 15 years ago 85% of the population in Bolivia lived in poverty, so the memory of shortage runs deep, making this model a very popular one for people to buy during the Alasitas festival.

  • The house

    Many people dream of owning their own house. In Bolivia people usually set up a business in the ground floor of their house, or rent out the space to another business.

  • The car

    Having a car either for work or for personal use is one of the signs of prosperity and financial success. The minivan represents a bigger family and also a business opportunity as it can be used as a source of income.

  • The construction materials

    Some people wish to finish a construction that they have underway. They could be building their own house, a business or something else. So this model features construction materials including cement, bricks, sand, tiles. Sometimes it features a property certificate or a legal contract as well.

  • The computer

    As in most of the world, technology and a computer is a vital part of modern life.

  • The bathroom

    Many houses in Bolivia still don’t have a proper bathroom, especially in the poorer areas, so it is common that families dream of having a bathroom in their house.
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