Please note: This event is FREE, RSVPs help us gauge the number of attendees for vendors to better prepare their stock and inventory for the day of the event.

Souq Meets Merkado is a community-driven event dedicated to supporting grassroots initiatives that uplift marginalized communities in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and the Philippines. This event was dreamed up as a collaborative fundraiser by a group of Vancouver-based community organizers, writers, artists and activists with deep roots in the Levant and the Philippines. With Souq Meets Mercado, we wanted to go beyond borders, by bridging different communities, particularly those with connections from East to South to West Asia, through shared experiences, food and artistry. We strive to create a welcoming space where people from all walks of life can come together, share experiences, and learn from one another. This event is rooted in compassion, solidarity, and shared resilience, supporting mutual aid and non-profit organizations in Bilad al-Sham (the Levant) and the Philippines.

Vendors at Souq Meets Merkado will not pay a vendor fee. Instead, they will commit a minimum of 20% of the day's revenue, which will be equally split between the following organizations: Tres Marias, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Middle East Children's Alliance (MECA), Molham Team, Reefna (Our Countryside), and Little Gaza in Don Antonio, Philippines.

The 2025 event will feature over 20 vendors, an art build by Anakbayan BC, and a children’s craft table by Parents for Palestine, alongside a diverse lineup of food vendors, craft makers, musicians, spoken word poetry and storytellers. This inclusive space invites people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in meaningful cultural exchange and collective action. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase handcrafted goods, enjoy traditional dishes, and engage with community leaders advocating for social justice.

By bringing together diasporic communities in Vancouver, we hope to foster meaningful connections, celebrate traditions, and amplify the voices of those at the heart of these struggles.

Date: Sunday, February 16, 2025
Event Time: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Venue Location: 312 Main Street Vancouver, BC V6A 2T2 (Entrance is off East Cordova Street, right in front of a bus stop)

We put together these community guidelines that will be sent to all vendors, and performers and posted publically for attendees:

Community Guidelines

Respect and Solidarity: This event is grounded in cultural exchange, mutual respect, and solidarity between the Levantine (Palestine, Lebanon and Syria) and Filipino communities. Vendors, artists, and attendees must uphold an environment of inclusion, respect, and celebration of diverse cultures.
No Cultural Appropriation: Cultural representation must come from a place of authenticity and respect. Vendors are encouraged to represent their culture or collaborate ethically and inclusively with communities. Avoid using cultural elements for profit without proper acknowledgment, permission, or understanding of their significance.
Art for Solidarity, Not Exploitation: We encourage blending and fusing artistic and cultural expressions to foster solidarity, but it’s essential to distinguish between creating meaningful connections and capitalizing on someone else's culture. Vendors should aim to honour and uplift communities, not exploit their cultural symbols for commercial gain.
Financial Contributions: There is no vendor fee to emphasize the event’s spirit of solidarity. Instead, we request that a minimum of 20% of each vendor’s revenue from the day be donated to the designated organizations on our donation list. These organizations work directly with marginalized communities in the Levant and Little Gaza in the Philippines.
Inclusivity and Accessibility: This market welcomes people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. Vendors must ensure their spaces are welcoming and accessible, promoting an atmosphere of safety and belonging for everyone.

Transit

Accessible by several bus lines: 4, 7, 209, 210, 211, and 214.

Washrooms

All-gender washrooms are located by the front entrance beside the front desk and at the southeast corner of the ground floor.

Water

Filtered water bottle filling station is in the southeast corner of the ground floor.

Masks

Masks are strongly encouraged but will not be enforced. We will have masks available (while supplies last) at the door.

Donations

Donations will be divided equally towards:

Molham Team - A volunteer-driven organization dedicated to providing life-saving aid to Syrians both within Syria and across the diaspora. Born from a mission to bring hope to those impacted by war, Molham Team works tirelessly to offer emergency relief, education, housing, and medical care to families and individuals facing immense challenges. Their impact is felt in countless lives—families finding shelter, students gaining access to education, and individuals receiving critical care thanks to their relentless efforts.
Reefna (our countryside) - A grassroots organization based in Southern Lebanon that aims to create open and diverse spaces for dialogue and thinking and to build bridges between different communities in Lebanon. There are an increasing number of families that are stranded in different displacement locations with little access, if any at all, to basic services. Reefna is trying to fill some of the many gaps. Today they are in touch with more than 500 families who are off the radar of humanitarian assistance. They aim to provide dry food assistance, mattresses, medicine, baby care essentials and female hygiene products for those in need.
Tres Marias - A Filipina-led community organization based in Lebanon, dedicated to supporting migrant domestic workers. The group provides humanitarian relief, emergency rescues, and capacity-building initiatives for displaced and vulnerable workers. Tres Marias is committed to fostering solidarity and empowerment through grassroots efforts, ensuring aid reaches those in dire need while advocating for the rights and dignity of migrant workers.
The Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) - A nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and families in Palestine. MECA provides humanitarian aid, clean water, medical supplies, and educational resources to communities impacted by occupation and conflict. It also funds local projects, such as building playgrounds, libraries, and cultural centers, and offers trauma support programs to help Palestinian children heal and thrive. Through advocacy and grassroots partnerships, MECA amplifies Palestinian voices and works to promote justice and human rights.
Gaza Soup Kitchen - A grassroots, community-led initiative dedicated to combating food insecurity in Gaza by providing freshly prepared, nourishing meals to individuals and families. Run by passionate local volunteers and supported by global donors, the initiative not only addresses immediate hunger but also fosters dignity, hope, and resilience within the community. By sourcing fresh ingredients from local farmers and suppliers, Gaza Soup Kitchen stimulates the local economy while delivering essential support to vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly.
Little Gaza in Don Antonio - A community-based initiative in Don Antonio, Quezon City, Philippines, supporting Palestinian-Filipino refugees and fostering solidarity with Palestine. The group focuses on creating awareness about the struggles faced by Palestinians through cultural events, education, and humanitarian efforts. By connecting local Filipinos with the Palestinian cause, Little Gaza in Don Antonio promotes global unity and empathy, encouraging support for Palestine through advocacy, fundraising, and raising awareness in the local community.

Filipino BC (@filipino_bc)

Van2Lebanon Mutual Aid (@van2lebanon)

Anakbayan BC (@anakbayanbc)

Project 1907 (@proj1907)

Souq Meets Merkado 2025

Souq Meets Merkado 2025

Event Info

Hosted By:

Filipino BC

Filipino BC

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