Adrieh Abu Shehadeh radiates hope, beauty and positive vibes as she tells us the story of Hilweh Market that situated in the heart of Yafa city. Adrieh, who has been working as a director of a women’s cooperative, decided to change her career and dedicate her time to combine her long-time passion of handicrafts and community empowering projects. For her, an ideal project is one that is developed by the community, for the community, and whose impact is felt by those who have worked hard on it.
Souq il Hilweh is the original name of the bustling central Yafa street where Adrieh’s store is located and Adrieh called the store after it to pay homage to the city and its cultural and artisan history and heritage. The store’s beautiful stone interior and Adrieh’s fine eye for details as well as her curating uplifts the pieces sold in the store to a high level of elegance and style. For her, the story of the producers is at the heart of the store, which she uses as a platform to empower Palestinian and Arab presence and identity in Yafa. Before the store was opened one had to travel to Jerusalem, Bethlehem or further to purchase high quality Palestinian handicrafts, but now Hilweh Market brings many of those fine pieces to Yafa. She handpicks the pieces herself and networks with Palestinian and Arab women artisans, even bringing products from Palestinian refugees outside of Palestine who have never been able to return. Her commitment to empowering young designers is also reflected in the graphic design of Hilweh Market’s logo that was done in collaboration with a designer who is originally from Ramleh.
Next time you are in Yafa, make sure to stop by this beautiful store, entice your senses and support such a great community- based initiative. As Hilweh Market was shortly opened before we finished gathering material for this guide, we are delighted to include this true gem in the heart of Yafa, the bride of the sea!