Presented by
In Association with
– Plaque installed by Vancouver Heritage Foundation.
Indian Summer Festival has collaborated with the Punjabi Market Regeneration Collective to create a self-guided audio tour that leads you on an experiential walk through Vancouver’s vibrant Punjabi Market, invoking the five senses and creating a sense of place. This is not a group event that has a set start and finish time and is designed for you to take in your own time with a family member/friend or alone, and at your pace. Have a meal or pop into establishments along the way – you choose! Once in the market, the audio tour narrated by artists, shop owners, and community members, will give you an insight into the past, present, and vibrant future of this significant Vancouver neighborhood.
You can do the tour anytime but as the Market is most active from 11.30am to 6pm, and many businesses in the market are closed on Tuesdays we recommend visiting during those times*, Wednesday to Monday for the full experience. We suggest you go around lunchtime so you can start the tour with a meal at Himalaya Restaurant, and grab sweets from the various sweet shops along the way!
Plan for at least 1 hour in the market + time to pop into shops and further explore what lies beyond the shop windows. From jewelry to apparel, sweets to samosas, novelties, and more!
This is a self-guided tour so there won’t be a meeting point but there is a designated starting point. The tour begins at the intersection of Main Street and 51st Avenue on the west side of Punjabi Market, in front of Frontier Cloth House. The recommended route from here is → northbound up Main Street → until 49th Avenue, across the street, and then→ southbound from 49th Avenue/Main Street → down Main Street, ending at Marigolds in the Market at 51st Avenue and Main Street, which is just across from the starting point. The tour covers a total distance of 650m approximately. The tour is only 3 blocks each way and is mapped onto/utilizes the Vancouver sidewalks and Street access.
We have created a map for your reference and all the instructions and directions are mentioned in the recording.
1) Visit this link via your mobile device – https://bit.ly/3Ao6yPy
2) When you see the below screen open, you may click ‘PLAY’ to begin the tour.
3) To make this tour accessible, and maximize the experience, we have also included a photograph and a transcript (‘lyrics’) for each track. For this option view the downloadable Punjabi Market Tour How-To Guide.
Speaking to identity, place, and belonging, the tour introduces you to a marketplace that is more than just a site of commerce, but a hub for culture, community, and memory. The tour will lead you to key points in the market and give you inside stories, histories, and anecdotes. You may find yourself grabbing a special samosa, smelling incense, or taking in art as you wander the streets. The walking tour is anchored by a special public art project on flagpole banners throughout Punjabi Market. The flags feature the art of renowned Musqueam artist, knowledge keeper, and weaver Debra Sparrow and Jag Nagra, the featured artist at ISF2021. Read more about this project here
CHECKLIST:
TOP TIPS:
*While self-guided, this tour is well suited to be enjoyed in good company so you may want to bring a buddy/friend/family member/colleague to walk, explore, and have lunch and chai (tea) with.
*If doing the tour with company, make sure each of you brings your own device + headphones to hear the tracks properly.
*Ambient sounds (e.g. cars passing by) can sometimes make it difficult to hear the recording. You might find it useful to listen to the tracks before going on the tour. Once you have the lay of the land, you can re-listen to the tracks as you complete the tour.
*If you need to use the washroom, there is a public restroom at the Sunset Community Centre. See this map for precise location: Sunset Community Centre – Google Maps. The community center is located near the starting point and ending point of the tour.
Road safety: please be aware of your surroundings and use marked pedestrian crossings when crossing streets. Main St. is a busy road!
COVID safety: For your own safety and that of others please wear a mask in public spaces and inside establishments. Kindly follow and respect the occupancy limits of establishments and maintain adequate physical distance. Keep up to date with the most current guidelines of the public health office at all times, here.
Downloads to maximize the experience:
ISF has worked with featured artists Jag Nagra (2021) and Mustaali Raj & Minahil Bukhari (2020) to curate and design a special box with goodies from the market – including incense, chai, brassware, snacks, and fashion-forward face masks. Very limited quantities of the box are available for individual purchase.
What you will find in the novelty box – CLICK HERE to view
Supporting Partner
(c) UBC ACAM 390A Project 2021 Punjabi Market: Resilient Cultures, Resilient Communities Produced by Donny Chiu Ky Kim Esther Ong Bharat Sahota
For inquiries and further information, email [email protected]
