The Bulgarian branch of the International Women's Club organized with great success the eighteenth traditional Christmas charity bazaar.

The event took place on December 2 at the International Expo Center in Sofia, attracting thousands of visitors and turning into Bulgaria's biggest charity event for raising funds for people in need.

The bazaar included a total of 55 stalls representing 45 countries offering traditional national cuisine and drinks, souvenirs, books, toys, clothes, etc.

Visitors came here lured by the rare opportunity to take a virtual one-day trip around the world and lend a helping hand to the disabled, the orphans, the elderly, the people living in under-privileged conditions, with lack of food or shelter.

The bazaar was attended by a number of ambassadors and diplomats and their wives with the proceeds raised going to support projects of the IWC Charity Foundation for people in need.

Besides showing unity in their desire to help the needy, the embassies of all countries had a chance to promote cultural diversity.

"I am very excited and happy that thanks to this bazaar we can raise lots of funds for charity projects," UK Ambassador to Bulgaria Jonathan Allen shared.

"All funds that we manage to collect will be used for supporting Bulgarians and Bulgarian foundations.

The Ambassador chose to challenge the visitors at the bazaar with a Mini Cooper, filled up with balloons. Visitors had to guess how many balloons there are in the car. Thus they could win a prize or buy a ticket to spend one day with the ambassador.

"I feel great here, almost the whole world is represented here and this is how I want to feel throughout the year – we should be all together with smiles on our faces not just for one day, but every day," Israeli Ambassador in Sofia Shaul Kamisa-Raz said.

Asked about the symbolic Wailing Wall, erected next to Israel's stall, he explained:

"The Wailing Wall is our symbol of Jerusalem, which we want to show to everyone. We give everyone the opportunity to put a piece of paper on this symbolic Wailing Wall with a wish written on it. We promise they all will be placed on the real Wailing Wall."

"We are very happy to be here and participate in this charming bazaar", the Palestinian ambassador said shortly after a historic state upgrade at the UN.

"It's really great that this event happens, it is full of people who buy different things to help the weak and vulnerable. We are even happier now that the UN General Assembly upgraded Palestinians' status from "observer entity" to "non-member state". Thus we will be able to participate in the global organization. "

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