30 January 2020

Winter Souk on Sunday at Cuppacumbalong

| Alex Rea
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Photos: Supplied.

Cuppacumbalong will host a Winter Souk market this weekend. Photos: Supplied.

What’s better than a Sunday drive with a visual and culinary feast this weekend? Cuppacumbalong will be hosting a Winter Souk market on Sunday 27th May.

Cuppacumbalong homestead has been a favourite day trip for Canberrans for decades. The property at Tharwa has a settlement history dating back 167 years. The Aboriginal origin of the name means ‘meeting of the waters’. There are covenants on the land around Cuppacumbalong now, that means if you live on one of these blocks, you have to be a practicing artisan. The Tharwa Art Precinct was established by the Government as a community of artists with Cuppacumbalong Homestead as its nexus.

New owners of Cuppacumbalong, Ali Wass & Karim Haddad of Tharwa Valley Forge, are working with the Canberra artisan community to revitalise this vision.

The beautiful grounds of the homestead overlooking the Murrumbidgee River will host selected artisans who will talk about their craft while giving you an opportunity to sample their wares and walk away with something exotic.

“This is the first of many markets Karim and I will host at Cuppa,” said Ali Wass. “The Winter Souk was borne out of a desire to welcome Winter and celebrate the change of seasons in Canberra. We want Tharwa, especially Cuppacumbalong, re-established as an environment where the public connect with local producers, makers and artisans,” she added.

Karim Haddad said, “There’s a movement away from consumer culture and people want to understand the provenance of the goods they consume, to appreciate the craft involved. More than anything else, people want to reconnect with their hands and feel a tangible sense of mastery.”

Many of the creators at the Winter Souk are renowned outside of Canberra but almost unknown within it. By way of remedy, they will be there and as eager to speak about their craft as they are to sell their wares.

Some attendees may find that the goods on-sale are unfamiliar to their tastes. But for many, this will be an opportunity to encounter something exotic and exciting. You may find yourself discovering a real indulgence.

Some of the creatives attending the Winter Souk include local potters, Girl Nomad Ceramics, furniture makers, 1803 deer product sellers, and of course, Tharwa Valley Forge. There will also be blacksmith demonstrations.

Culinary delight will include Bentspoke, Underground Spirit, Jasper and Myrtle Chocolates, Lark Hill Wines, Terra Preta Truffles, Dewsbury Pork as well as coffee, soup and Lebanese pizza available.

Canberra business ‘Asado Cruz’ specialises in Argentinian Fire Cooking and will be firing up their traditional BBQs at the Souk. Traditional Patagonian BBQs are a spectacular way to cook a meal whether it be a rack of ribs, a joint of meat, or an entire animal.

The Winter Souk is from 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday 27th May 2018 at Cuppacumbalong Homestead, 21 Naas Rd Tharwa ACT. $5 entry fee, free parking on-site, child friendly, EFTPOS available from most vendors.

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