Over 30 embassies participated in the event. From the early morning people were chatting in the Olimpiisky, the air smelled of spices, and everyone lined up to get exotic souvenirs.
Bulgaria participated in the fair for the first time this year. Guests were treated with banitsa – pies with goat cheese and pumpkin, lutenitsa – a sauce made of tomatoes and peppers, and rose jam. A cornel branch was decorating the stand. The flexible cornel is a symbol of endurance in Bulgaria.
The longest line at the fair was near the Czech stall. Women bought glassware and jewelry, while men treated themselves to beer and sausages. Ivan Pocuch, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Ukraine, said: “We have been participating in the charity fair for a long time and we were very successful in 2012: we raised the fourth largest sum. We always prepare thoroughly for this event.”
There were lines near the stand of Den (the event’s information partner) all day long. People bought postcards, People of the Maidan. A Chronicle photo album, foreigners appreciated the English edition of Ukraine Incognita. TOP 25. Kateryna Zaporozhets, a visitor, recognized herself in one of the photos of People of the Maidan. In the photo, the girl is standing with a poster saying “Russia is for sad people.” “I don’t even remember where the idea of the poster came from,” Kateryna admits. “My friends and I wanted people to see this slogan and understand that we live in Ukraine and do not want to move towards Russia. We are standing on Khreshchatyk Street in the photo. It was the day of the first viche (popular assembly) in Maidan, so we walked round the downtown with this poster.”
THE AMBASSADOR OF AUSTRIA TO UKRAINE WOLF DIETRICH HEIM TREATS GUESTS WITH MULL WINE
Sian Stickings of the Ambassadors’ Spouses Club liked People of the Maidan. A Chronicle. Mrs. Stickings was in charge of the UK stand next to Den’s one. The British were inviting guests to enjoy their afternoon tea with milk. “This year has been hard, and a lot of people need help. We are trying to raise as much money as possible,” Stickings said.
Iraq dedicated its stand to children who suffered from war. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Iraq Shorsh Khalid Said explained: “This year, two million internal refugees appeared in Iraq due to terrorist attacks, there are a lot of children among them. That is why we brought posters and calendars which illustrate this problem. There are a lot of refugees in eastern Ukraine as well. So, I wish Ukrainians peace and happiness in the new year.”
THE AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN TO UKRAINE SHIGEKI SUMI CAME TO THE FAIR WEARING A TRIDENT-ADORNED PATRIOTIC HAT IN TOKEN OF HIS SUPPORT FOR UKRAINIANS
Ukraine has been participating in the fair for 15 years. This time the Ukrainian stall sports pottery, embroidery from Poltava, and hand-painted textiles. Next to the Ukrainian stood a big Indonesian stall. This Asian country was so impressed with our tunes that an Indonesian boy began to sing in Ukrainian. “It was an improvisation, and I was astonished to hear it,” smiles Kirana Himawan, an official of the embassy.
MRS. STICKINGS WAS IN CHARGE OF THE UK STAND NEXT TO DEN’S ONE. THE BRITISH WERE INVITING GUESTS TO ENJOY THEIR AFTERNOON TEA WITH MILK. PICTURED WITH BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE SIMON SMITH
The annual charitable fair, organized by the International Women’s Club of Kyiv (IWCK) is traditionally held on the first Saturday in December. “Only this year did I realize how much such an action unites people,” emphasized Elizabeth Kurkova, IWCK president. “Personally I bought a pot of traditional Christmas jam (it is only made by the Brits) and Christmas table decorations from the Germans.”
THE AMBASSADOR OF SWITZERLAND TO UKRAINE CHRISTIAN SCHOENENBERGER WAS LOOKING WITH INTEREST THROUGH THE ALBUM PEOPLE OF THE MAIDAN. A CHRONICLE
The proceeds from the event will be distributed by the IWCK among several charitable initiatives. According to Natalia Mustafina, chair of the IWCK charitable committee, the proceeds will be counted after the fair, the maximal grant will be determined, and applications for the contest will be accepted till the end of January. Participation is open for charities and NGOs from Kyiv oblast, which take care of children, disabled people, seniors, women, and refugees from Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
