A vintage market taking place in Ain Aar, Mount Lebanon will be a connection between traditions and treasury of Lebanese history, culture and craft by featuring second-hand items that are worth a second chance in life. This type of consumerism often popular in European countries have become increasingly popular in recent years amid growing economic hardship and the challenges faced by the population to keep its shopping habits. However, the concept of this “Vintage Collective market” has somewhat a new twist to it as it is focuses on enhancing cultural history in consumers and is significantly rooted to Lebanon history and culture, where interested shoppers can find a wide and often surprising range of “treasures” as Rola Rizkallah, vintage refurbished and organizer of the market puts it in her interview with NOW.
Having lived abroad for over 25 years, Rola has always been passionate about art, culture and flea markets as being more accessible in foreign countries.
“With my line of work it felt necessary to create a market specialized in vintage collectibles, refurbishments and up cycling art,” Rola said.
The elements associated with second-hand markets are often linked to saving money on certain items rather than paying the full price, and providing a space to local artists to sell their work or the pieces they have created.
Rola had linked her motivation to organize the “Vintage Collective Market” to the economic crisis in Lebanon by explaining that “with the ongoing economic situation, it was crucial to provide a cultural and artistic platform affordable to all exhibitors to showcase their collection and work.”
Preserving Lebanese culture & identity amid instability
With Lebanon’s economic and political turmoil, formal job markets have been hit hard, and so people have started to use their talent and enhance their passion to bring something new to the table and earn another stream of income out of their creations.
According to Rola, these markets offer income opportunities for craftsmen and small vendors and in parallel it generates a community-based economy that sustains families and allows economic resilience.
The Vintage Collective Market and its goals
As one of the key elements of this market is to connect generations to Lebanons cultural heritage and history, it focuses on providing accessibility to individuals from all sorts of age groups, including young people in their 20’s who Rola said that she particularly noticed in the first edition that exhibitors from their 20’s and above are quite interested in the past and this audience has grown alongside with more mature ages.
The market is free of charge entrance and Rola and the participating exhibitors encourage the presence of youngsters who are interested in the market as they love to see them “putting their technology side and mingle with the exhibitors instead”.
The challenges
Organizing the market came with significant logistical challenges, from securing a safe and accessible location to ensuring basic amenities were in place, all while keeping costs affordable for exhibitors.
“It’s not easy to check all those boxes, especially when you’re working with limited resources and trying to create an inclusive, welcoming environment for both vendors and visitors.” Explained Rola.
Despite the obstacles, their determination paid off, resulting in a space that is both welcoming and practical for vendors and visitors alike.
“We pushed through every hurdle, navigating multiple locations, negotiating with service providers, and listening closely to what our exhibitors needed,” said Rola.
Future vision
The market now aims to expand beyond its current location and travel across Lebanon.
The goal is not only to bring vintage culture and community-centered commerce to new areas, but also to connect with each region’s unique story, creating space for dialogue, cultural exchange, and shared growth.
In short, the Vintage Collective Market is not just about goods, it’s a place where stories are told through certain items that are crafted uniquely and traditionally, it is also a place where memories are shared and history is felt through historical items that are inherited from one generation to another.
According to Rola, at the market shoppers can find classic vinyl records, postcards, posters, and newspapers.
Additionally they can find jewelry and personal items such as prayer beads and amulets, along with old coins and banknotes including pre-civil war Lebanese lira or Ottaman currency.
They can also expect to find tools and utensils from old kitchens or traditional farming as well as vintage mirrors, luggage’s and furniture such as clocks and lamps that often have an artistic and retro or old-century touch.
In a constantly changing world, the Vintage Collective Market invites today’s generation to slow down, observe, and appreciate what lasts.
It will be taking place on the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th of July from 11 AM to 10 PM in Ain Aar square, Mount Lebanon with free entrance.
Rodayna Raydan is a Lebanese-British journalist. You can follow her on Twitter @Rodayna_462
The views in this story reflect those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of NOW.
