We started setting our stalls early in the morning of 29th November. There were several international stalls run by Consulates General or IWC members, the IWC activity groups, charity organisations, orphanages, and some very traditional stalls of sponsors. The doors of the Bazaar were opened at 12,00 by Tamara Simeonova, painter, when she cut the red ribbon. Both the halls of the beautiful Astoria were packed for over four hours with guests eating, drinking, shopping and trying their luck with the Lucky Draw and the Grand Raffle. Everybody was there to raise money for the very worthy charity projects of the IWC. We were proud of the number of sponsors making donations of all kinds, and together made sure that our projects will not be adversely affected by the global crisis. Children’s play room was popular among children this year as well. The entertaintment programme was very much appreciated; not only children but also adults seemed to enjoy every minute of it. There were quite experienced members and sponsors among us, and there were new ones. Still, everybody shared the same feelings at the end of the day-it was an experience, it was fun, it was worth doing and we will do it again next year.

Thank you, everybody, for generously supporting the IWC and for being one big team. You can now mark the last Sunday of November 2010 on your calenders as the next IWC Bazaar. See you there then.

F. Benay Cinar