Fatma Ustun, IWC: Bulgaria's Christmas Bazaar - One-Day Trip Around the World

Mrs. Fatma Ustun is coordinator of the Annual Charity Bazaar in Sofia, organized by International Women's Club of Sofia.

Born in 1975 in Germany, she was raised and studied in Istanbul. Has BSc. degree in Environmental Engineering.

Mrs. Ustun is married and has a seven year-old son. Has been living in Bulgaria since 2006. Speaks three languages - Turkish as native language, Bulgarian and English, also a little bit German.

Could you please tell more about the Charity Bazaar of IWC?

My personal interests are handicrafts like jeweler making, painting and making greeting cards. I founded an art shop in Stara Zagora and have been running it for three years already. I gained a lot of experience about Bulgarian culture, customs, business life and language.

I joined the IWC in September 2010 after moving to Sofia. Shortly after joining, I made many friends, joined and organized many activities.

I was the Turkish Stallholder at IWC Charity Bazaar for the last two years. My effort made the Turkish Stall more successful and popular than the previous years.

The Charity Bazaar, organized by IWC, is a life-altering event and that's why I am very aware of the responsibility that I have undertaken. This year we are organizing and running the 18th Annual Charity Bazaar, the contribution and effort that every single one is extremely important and create big difference.

This year the bazaar will take place on Sunday, December 2, 2012 at the Inter Expo Center.

Our slogan this year is 'Svetat idva pri teb' in Bulgarian, 'World is coming to you'. Our Bazaar is a festivity, culture, music, dance, fun, art, entertainment, handicraft, food and drink. It is a one-day trip of all over the world.

How many stalls and countries do you expect this year?

To date 37 stalls are officially registered, representing 45 countries: Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil/Portugal, British, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech & Slovak, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Georgia, Greece, Indonesia, The Irish Stall, Embassy of Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Netherlands, Nordic-Baltic Countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden), Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Republic of Seychelles,  South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine and USA.

IWC Stalls will include: Big Tombola, Books, Bric-A-Brac, Charity, Clothes, Patchwork&Handicrafts, Photo with Santa, Tickets and Toys.

Tell us more about your team? What motivated you and your team members to be involved in this projects?

As the 2012 Charity Bazaar Coordinator it is my first year on the Executive Board of IWC. It is not easy to handle this position but I am very happy that all of the volunteers from last years' Bazaar Team kindly are giving their support.

I believe that with their experience, dedication, ability and hard work, we'll raise more funds and be able to reach more people in need this year. I think the key motivation factor is that we as International Women know that we can make changes.