THIS Monday at 2pm, the Fair & Ethical Trade on the Fringe will launch in style on Castle Street with a colourful performance by India Flamenco troupe.
They will perform for Lord Provost, The Rt. Hon. Donald Wilson, as both local and international exhibitors showcase their Fairtrade arts, crafts and products from around the world.
Every year since 2009, organisers Hand Up Events have brought together an unique offering to Edinburgh – during the international Edinburgh Festivals – with a range of fair trade, ethical as well beautiful Scottish hand-crafted gifts.
Exhibitors from as far Peru, India, Zambia and Kenya give shoppers a truly international shopping experience and where monies are reinvested to help others in communities around the world.
The Lord Provost will officially open the Fair & Ethical Trade on the Fringe on Monday. He said: “I am very proud of Edinburgh’s long-standing commitment to ethical business and the Fair Trade City status we have earned for 12 years running.
“This event provides the city with an excellent opportunity to showcase the contribution individuals and businesses are making to fair trade to the hundreds of thousands of visitors to Edinburgh during the Fringe.”
Tania Pramschufer, director, Hand Up Events and LocalMotive Markets, said: “Fair & Ethical Trade on the Fringe provides a unique opportunity for UK shoppers to buy such a great variety of fair and ethical gifts as well, to meet so many international exhibitors who support their communities through our events that put fair and ethical trade on the best possible high footfall locations.
“We are delighted to be on Castle Street again this year and for the first time on Waverley Mall.”
New Fairtrade exhibitor, Elaine Lowe, from Blue Llama, is attending for the first year from Peru. From Edinburgh, originally, Elaine works with small, family-run workshops, thus ensuring Fairtrade standards are met, and at the same time empowering these artisans and their families.
She said: “Fair and Ethical Trade on the Fringe is exactly the sort event I hoped I’d be working with when I set up Blue Llama. For us, it’s the perfect chance to show our sustainably produced alpaca knitwear to customers from all over the world. I’m really looking forward to being part of it.”
Saliha Haouachi, artistic director of Alba Flamenco, said: “I am thrilled to be able to show case our performance India Flamenco dance at this international launch of fair and ethical trade. Our dance style is a fusion of different cultures blended together with real harmony and grace to complement the colourful exhibitors from around the world.”
Fair & Ethical Trade on the Fringe has been taking place on Castle Street since 2009 and will be running the following week on the roof of Waverley Mall.
It promotes fair and ethically-sourced and traded products as well as local arts and crafts. It attracts exhibitors from across the globe, from as far as Zambia, Kenya, India, Chile and Bali and this year space is being offered to Fairtrade organisations, ethical businesses and local makers/designers on a first come basis.
Suppliers can sign up by contacting tania@handupevents.co.uk
Tania added: “There are some great eating and shopping experiences on Castle Street and Princes Street so we encourage our visitors to make the most of the fair and the shops, cafés, restaurants and businesses nearby.”
The Fair & Ethical Trade on the Fringe will run on Castle street until the 13 August and then next to Waverley Station from the 14 August – colourful flags will be in place to showcase the event.
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