Exploring the Soviet Univers in Panza: A Journey Through Time

💡The Univers in Panza was a Soviet version of an American Grocery Supermarket, allowing customers to help themselves to products and pay at the checkout lane.

🛒The shelves in the store were filled with the exact same products, showcasing the Soviet concept of 'planty,' where appearance took precedence over variety.

💍In the Soviet Union, married individuals wore a golden band on their right hand, while divorced individuals wore it on their left hand.

📺The vintage film of Univers in Panza captures the details of Soviet life, from fashion trends like mini skirts to the abundance of canned fish.

🥛Milk products in the Soviet Union were sold in triangular packets called 'malos,' and the type of product was determined by the color of the foil on the lid.

What was the significance of the Univers concept in the Soviet Union?

—The Univers concept introduced self-service grocery shopping, which was a new concept for the Soviet Union. It allowed customers to choose their own products and pay at the checkout lane, revolutionizing the shopping experience.

Why were the shelves in the store filled with the exact same products?

—The Soviet concept of 'planty' prioritized the appearance of abundance over the variety of products. By filling the shelves with the same products, the store aimed to create the impression of a well-stocked and prosperous establishment.

What was the significance of the golden band worn on the right hand?

—In the Soviet Union, the golden band worn on the right hand symbolized marriage. It was a common practice for married individuals, while divorced individuals wore the band on their left hand.

What fashion trends were popular in the Soviet Union during the 1970s?

—In the 1970s, mini skirts were a popular fashion trend in the Soviet Union, as seen in the vintage film. They became a symbol of modernity and Western influence in Soviet fashion.

What was the packaging like for milk products in the Soviet Union?

—Milk products in the Soviet Union were sold in triangular packets called 'malos.' The type of milk product was determined by the color of the foil on the lid, and the packaging often leaked due to its subpar quality.

00:00Introduction to the vintage film showcasing the opening of the Soviet Univers store in Panza.

01:17Overview of the Univers concept, a self-service grocery store that revolutionized shopping in the early 70s.

03:13Observation of the shelves filled with the exact same products, highlighting the Soviet concept of 'planty.'

05:15Explanation of the significance of the golden band worn on the right hand in the Soviet Union.

07:15Reflection on fashion trends in the Soviet Union, particularly the popularity of mini skirts.

08:18Observation of the abundant availability of canned fish in Soviet grocery stores.

10:26Discussion of the unique packaging of milk products in the Soviet Union, known as 'malos.'

11:08Comparison of the vintage footage with the modern-day state of the Univers store in Panza.