BTS at LatinFax: Coffee, Culture, and Community on the Halifax Waterfront

By: Jacqueline Steele, BTS Summer Student

In July, Breaking the Silence (BTS) had the privilege of being a vendor at LatinFax, a Latin American cultural festival held along the Halifax waterfront. Maggie, the other BTS Summer Student, and I were joined by several wonderful volunteers who helped make the day possible. We were able to experience the incredible diversity and cultural pride that filled the waterfront. From beautiful traditional dresses and lively music to delicious food and enthusiastic vendors, there was always something to discover. We even picked up a few Spanish phrases along the way: ¡Un café por favor!

The waterfront was especially lively that day, with LatinFax taking place alongside the Pride Parade and AfricFest happening just down the street. Halifax was celebrating several different cultures and communities all at once, making an incredibly energetic atmosphere. People were constantly moving along the boardwalk, stopping at vendors, enjoying the performances, and taking in all the sights and sounds. It was wonderful to see so many people coming together to celebrate culture, community, and diversity.

And, as two environmental students, Maggie and I were especially happy to spend the day outside in the sunshine! The weather could not have been better for an event on the waterfront. Although, in hindsight, more frequent applications of sunscreen probably would have been a wise decision!

People participating in a conga line on the boardwalk.

Coffee, culture, and community

Having extra hands at the BTS kiosk gave Maggie and me the opportunity to do much more than simply sell coffee. Our table featured Fair Trade, organic coffee from Guatemala, as well as beautiful handmade crafts produced by a women’s co-operative in Guatemala. Selling these products gave us an opportunity to introduce people to some of the people, communities, and work that BTS supports. It also gave us a chance to talk with people about where their coffee comes from and the importance of supporting Fair Trade and organic production. Alongside the coffee, we sold handmade crafts created by women in a Guatemalan co-operative. Each piece offered a small connection to the communities we work alongside and provided an opportunity for people to support the work of women in Guatemala.

Some crafts from the BTS kiosk at LatinFax.

Between serving coffee, showing off the crafts, and chatting with attendees, we had plenty of opportunities to tell people about BTS and answer questions about our organization and the work we support in Guatemala. We loved being able to explain what it means to “break the silence” and why building connections between communities in Guatemala and the Maritimes is so important.

Of course, we also made sure to experience LatinFax for ourselves! Thanks to the additional hands at the kiosk, Maggie and I had the opportunity to explore the festival, learn about the incredible vendors, pick up a few Spanish words, and most importantly devour plenty of authentic tacos and empanadas. We loved being able to support the other vendors, while experiencing the incredible food, music, clothing, and cultural celebrations throughout the festival.

For us, being a vendor was not simply about selling coffee and crafts. It was about creating opportunities to meet people, share information, celebrate Guatemalan and Latin American culture, and build connections within the Halifax community. It was a chance to show people how their purchases can connect them to communities beyond Nova Scotia and support meaningful work in Guatemala.

The work beyond the kiosk

While the festival itself was the most exciting part, the preparation leading up to LatinFax was arguably the most challenging!

Maggie and I, along with dedicated volunteers, spent about a week getting everything ready. This meant making sure we had enough coffee and ice, organizing our inventory, preparing supplies, coordinating volunteers, planning social media posts, and making sure our spot at LatinFax was ready to go. There were plenty of small details to keep track of, and each one was important to making sure the day ran smoothly. There was a lot more organization involved than we initially expected! We were proud of the coffee and crafts we sold, the conversations we had, and the connections we were able to make throughout the day.

A day we won’t forget

LatinFax was a wonderful reminder of the importance of community events and the opportunities they create for people to learn from one another. We loved being able to experience Latin American culture, while also sharing a little bit about the work of BTS.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who stopped by our kiosk, bought coffee or crafts, asked questions, chatted with us, or supported BTS in any way. We also want to say a huge thank you to the volunteers who gave their time and energy to help us throughout the day. We could not have done it without you!

Most of all, we are proud of the hard work that went into making the event a success. From the week of preparation to the busy hours on the waterfront, LatinFax gave us the opportunity to step outside our usual work, meet new people, support local communities, and of course enjoy some wonderful tacos and empanadas!

Thank you to everyone who made LatinFax such a memorable day. We are already looking forward to the next opportunity to get out into the community, share coffee, make connections, and continue to break the silence!

A crowed gathered around the stage to watch traditional dances.