The "By Their Hands" market, aimed at supporting and economically empowering rural women, introducing local homemade products, and preserving Syrian food heritage, launched today, Saturday, at the Homs Directorate of Culture. This event coincides with Syrian Women's Week, in a move aimed at providing a direct space for marketing rural products and highlighting the richness of local heritage.
Supporting rural women and enhancing marketing opportunities
The market is held in cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the "Hand in Hand for Relief and Development" organization, with the participation of more than 35 producing families. Fadi Sahoul, the organization's director, stated that the participation is part of cooperation to support rural women and provide them with the opportunity to market their natural and homemade products directly in Homs city. Sahoul clarified that the organization provided logistical, financial, and media support to the initiative, aiming to enhance its chances of success and sustainability, and working to transform the market into an annual event that contributes to supporting the household economy.
Products preserving Syrian food heritage
For her part, Aya Salim, head of the Heritage Department at the Homs Directorate of Culture, stated that the market targets more than 35 participants, selected through a questionnaire to determine desired products, with a focus on Syrian "Mouna" (preserved foods). Salim pointed out the diversity of the products on display, including Makdous, molokhia, kishk, dried vegetables, okra, raisins, as well as chocolate and chocolate-covered dates. She emphasized that these products reflect the richness of the Syrian table and its connection to inherited dietary habits, as well as the importance of preserving expertise in preparing homemade foods.
Qaraatin products reach external markets
Meanwhile, Nesreen Abdul Rahim, known as "Umm Ahmad," from the Qaraatin area, spoke about her experience in making za'atar and participating in various exhibitions. She explained that her experience expanded through taking over the Qaraatin room in the rural market, allowing her to contribute to bringing the region's women's products to Homs markets. She noted that Qaraatin products include raisins, raisin syrup, pomegranate syrup, dairy products, and cheeses, along with za'atar, Makdous, shanklish, labneh, and cheese, adding that the region's products have reached markets in several Arab and foreign countries.
The "By Their Hands" market will continue for three days in the back square of the Homs Directorate of Culture, within initiatives aimed at supporting productive Syrian women and encouraging the continuity of household projects that contribute to supporting the family economy.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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