Traditional Winter Charity Bazaar opens in Chisinau

The traditional Winter Charity Bazaar has opened today at Moldexpo in Chisinau. Organized by the International Women’s Club of Moldova (IWCM), the fair is an opportunity for representatives of many different countries to display gifts, souvenirs, cookies and other traditional stuff and raise funds for a good cause. This year the Bazaar has brought together representatives from 21 diplomatic missions, IWCM Co-President Charla Chaudhry, the wife of the US Ambassador to Moldova, has told Info-Prim Neo. The proceeds will be distributed among 5 beneficiary institutions, which is more than in previous years. Ecaterina Cojuhari, a visitor, says she liked the Bulgarian cookies best, and Teodor, a 10-year-old boy, said he enjoyed very much the candies and the stuffed toy his parents bought for him at the US stand. At the German stand the best sold stuff are the chocolate calendars, says Julia Kahrl, the deputy head of the diplomatic mission. The EU Delegation's stand features promotional gifts directed at the shoppers who seek to buy “more serious” stuff. Other visitors said they were very impressed by the music played at the Bazaar. And indeed the musical component was rich and varied, from children’s bands, to folk music to a star performance by popular singer Pasha Parfeni. Moldovan culture is also represented at the Bazar, mainly by traditional craftsmen and also people skilled in traditional cuisine. The fair will last only one day. The proceeds will go to assist the TB Rehab Center for Children “Tirnova”, to renovate the bathrooms in the pediatric ward of the Soldanesti Hospital, and to buy implements for the playground at a social assistance center in Olanesti village. A part of the money will be used to assist the NGO Compasiune in providing vocational training to the youth in Costesti village, and support a senior citizens' Art Club in Soroca. This is the 14th Winter Charity Bazaar. Since its first launch, the Bazaar has raised $153,000 in proceeds for charity.