The 2015 International Bazaar will take place on the last week-end of November (Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November) and will be officially opened on Saturday afternoon by HRH Prince Louis and HRH Princess Tessy, and Erika Ehrhard, the new President of the International Bazaar, with members of the Bazaar committee showing them around the halls.
Do you fancy a journey around the world in 2 days, visiting countries from all over the globe? No need to fly, just come along and see, smell and taste products from 5 Continents.
As in previous years, the International Bazaar will be opening its doors to all their friends for the traditional Bazaar weekend event at LuxExpo (Halls 2 and 3) in Luxembourg-Kirchberg. There you will encounter a certain cosmopolitan flair and, above all, an exuberant joie de vivre. Return home with the satisfying feeling that your attendance and all your purchases have contributed towards alleviating poverty here in Europe and in the developing countries.
The International Bazaar, a charitable event, is one of the major fund-raisers in the Luxembourg calendar. There you may wander among some 75 stands representing 61 nations (including, for the first time, Croatia and Ukraine) - staffed by great teams of volunteers - all offering the very best of their national wares. You will be swept along in the convivial atmosphere – charming folksongs, strumming guitars, original national handicrafts, exclusively imported goods and aromas from every continent. Find a thousand ideas for gifts ranging from fashion accessories to fine art, books, home interior items, festive decorations from around the world , enjoy the local music, the singing and the dancing and, last but not least, a wide variety of delicious dishes and gourmet specialties to eat or take away. And why not buy tickets for 19 exciting tombolas and win some super prizes?
Last year, the Bazaar itself, as well as other activities organised by the stands, raised €600,000 which were allocated to numerous charity projects. In addition, in 2015 the Bazaar donated €15,000 to support the victims of the earthquake in Nepal as well as €15,000 each to refugee camps in Jordan and Syria.
This year, proceeds from the Bazaar will be donated to 98 different charities nominated by the various stands. Most of the beneficiaries are organisations in Asia, Africa and Latin America, but European and Luxembourgish charities will benefit too.
The International Bazaar’s aim is to fight against poverty throughout the world. Priority is given to women, children and families. The support is wide ranging: schooling, professional training, social re-integration, medical care and training of local medical staff, etc. Two charities from the list of 98 were identified as particularly deserving of more financial aid.
The principal charity for 2015 is “Bienvenue Shelter for Migrant Women and their Children” (www.bienvenueshelter.org.sa) run by a religious congregation in South Africa. The shelter cares for destitute women and children, who are victims of forced displacement, having fled the war in the Congo or elsewhere. The Bazaar will finance in part the cost of schooling and professional training for a year.
The second project “Child Action Nepal” (www.childactionnepal.org.ok) is that of a British organisation which runs two orphanages in Nepal. Aid from the International Bazaar will help fund the running costs for one house for a year.
Support will also be given to four charities based in Luxembourg: Service de consultation et d’aide psychomotrice (SCAP), Strassen; Conseil national des femmes du Luxembourg (Foyer pour femmes en détresse), Luxembourg; Rééducation précoce – Hëllef fir de Puppelchen asbl, Strassen; and Mouvement ATD Quart Monde, Luxembourg.
15 other projects in developing countries run by Luxembourg organisations will also receive funds from the Bazaar. They include, inter alia, Fondation Follereau and Solidarité Afrique in Burkina Faso; Enfants de l’Espoir in Colombia; Verein Future for Kids in Rwanda; MPG Responsibilty Now asbl in Thailand; and Together for Children in Mexico.
The 55th International Bazaar will take place on Saturday 28 November, from 11:00 to 19:00, and Sunday 29 November, from 10:00 18:00.
Entrance to the Bazaar and parking at LuxExpo are both free, although parking space is very limited. Public transport is highly recommended! Free-of-charge bus service on both days!
Please make use of the service of a Garderie (situated near the Entrance) for children from 2-8 years.
