Venue: Victoria High School Field
Next appearance: Friday 27 June to Sunday 6 July
Opinion piece
By Sayuri Persotham
Wood chips underfoot and brightly coloured flags flying high – the Village Green Market has begun. Tall, white tents stand in uniform rows on the field, each concealing its own wonders. Upon first glance, I saw Village Green as the heart of the National Arts Festival – a meeting point of South African culture and every market-goer’s dream. The range and diversity of items on offer make for a treasure trove of local gems.
From plants to clothing to jewellery, Village Green has every imaginable variety of odds and ends. Within stall 40 of tent 2, you’ll find the kindest gentleman with a vast assortment of plants and succulents on display. His dedication and care alone are sufficient to sway you into adopting a flourishing, green friend. Venturing further back, stall 50 offers authentic African ceramics, both handmade and hand-painted. The immaculate attention to detail and bright African patterns draw eyes in from a distance.
Beyond the indulgence of consumer culture, Village Green is a major income source for many aspiring business owners. Nestled in the left corner of tent 1 is a quaint furniture and dress store, run by a husband-and-wife team. Ambitious entrepreneur Amy of Amy Rose Apparel demonstrates her 33-way reversible dress, while her partner creates personalised stools that are adjusted to your preferred style and firmness. Looking towards the front of tent 1, the longest-standing Village Green trader proudly showcases her curated collection of bohemian clothing. After 31 years of appearances at the National Arts Festival, she highlights the hard work and endless hours of planning that go into a pop-up stall. While the prices of the items raise a few eyebrows, she is confident in her ability to satisfy the artistic niche of Eastern-inspired clothing. Indeed, the styles are to die for.
Though many of us are drawn to the excitement of procuring outlandish items, it is important to remember that Village Green is a hub for upcoming artists and small businesses. Exploring South African culture and heritage is at the forefront of our minds, and in turn, Village Green traders rely on us for support. Embrace the festival airs, and shop for authentic local artistry.
