Ambassadors of foreign countries took part in the charity fair
For more than a decade the International Women's Club of Kyiv (IWCK) has organized the event. This institution was founded in 1992 by a group of expatriate women headed by Ms Ingabor Kristofassen, the first Ambassador of Belgium to Ukraine. Currently the club includes over 250 members from more than 59 countries, mostly, representatives of accredited in Ukraine diplomatic body, women working at cultural and business enterprises, wives of businessmen and diplomatists.
Every year diplomats get involved in fundraising to help children, women, seniors and people with disabilities. This year financial support will be provided to migrants in Ukraine.
The Charity Fair was officially opened be Ms Elizabeth Kurkova, current President of the International Women's Club of Kyiv, the diplomatic corps was presented by the UK Ambassador to Ukraine Mr Simon Smith, he said: "I am delighted that this year the fair was organized by the International Women's Club. Unfortunately, last year we did not manage to hold the event due to a tense situation of that time, and we all still feel certain tension. However, I am sure many of my colleagues diplomats share my opinion and feeling concerning this year..."
From the very inception a key aspect of the IWCK participants was to support charitable activities in favour of medical institutions for elderly, orphanages, schools, hospitals and associations involved in protection of children and women in Ukraine. Typically, the organizers manage to raise nearly 2 million Hryvnias, which are sent to support the target groups.
The event guests took opportunity to plunge into international atmosphere rich in impressions: 34 embassies presented traditional products at their stands. In addition, almost all organized locations offered to taste national dishes. Thus, representatives of the Embassy of Japan treated visitors to sushi, Switzerland – cheese, and Germany – traditional Christmas cake with raisins and candied fruit called stolle. Especially for desserts lovers the Indonesian Embassy baked unusual pancakes with coconut, and the Embassy of Iraq - sweet baklava.
Everyone was encouraged to taste wines at stands of Argentina, Georgia, Romania and Malta. The latter, in addition, presented for sale unique canvas with corals. And those who wanted to take home “a piece of foreign cuisine” and cook some meals with their own hands could buy Kuwait flour and fragrant Korean sauces and spices.
Along souvenirs and products, buyers extremely admired worldwide known Bulgarian and Palestinian cosmetics made from natural ingredients.
In the area of the Embassy of Mexico guests could buy unique paintings and works of art from beads made by the Huichol nation. Also, items of folk art were presented from Ukraine. Location, organized by the General Directorate for Servicing Foreign Representative Offices, presented to visitors pottery decorated with traditional paintings and a variety of embroidery.
Also, throughout the day the hall was amused by sounds of national melodies, dance groups in bright costumes entertained visitors with folk dances. Separate location was organized for the youngest guests of the fair: on the eve of New Year holidays the real Santa Claus greeted children!
Tomorrow we will present you a colourful video from the event! And now you are welcome to look through photos in our photo gallery:
