The organising committee of the International Bazaar held a press conference this mornign at the Chambre de Commerce to announce details of the forthcoming 53rd annual charity bazaar to be held at LuxExpo on Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December 2014.
Marie-Hélène Ehrke-Harf, President of the Bazaar organising committee, explained that the bazaar's aim is to combat poverty throughout the world through various humanitarian initiatives and charities.
This year, there are more than 70 stands, repesenting 59 countries across 5 continents, with more than 1,000 volunteers helping at the bazaar each year. 95 charities will be support by this year's bazaar, including 5 active in Luxembourg, with many other Luxembourg organisations also supported. Last year, €500k was raised at the bazaar. Normally the funds raised are distributed at the start of each year, with the charities receiving their donations by the end of February.
The main charity this year is L'Hymne aux Enfants from Switzerland which is active in Burkino Faso, supporting families and children with medical-related facilities and services and after-care for children in Ouagadougou aged 3-24 suffering from noma diease, cancer and cleft palates.
The bazaar committee also set up an emergency fund, separate from the main fund, on its 50th anniversary. In 2013, victims of the typhoon Bopha in the Philippines and Syrian refugees in Lebanon received aid from this fund.
New this year will be two new stands, the Czech Republic (toys, including puppets) and China (specially silk and other garments), with a waiting list too. the event is being held in halls 2 & 3, as last year, following which it was felt the event and stands were easier for the attendees which numbers around 25,000 over the two days each year.
On sale will be handcrafts and traditional items from each country, as well as culinary delights including both food and drink specialities, many of which are made by the stand volunteers themselves. Of special mention are the Icelandic stand that will have traditional woolen jumpers as well as various stands that are stocking and selling handcrafts made by handicapped workers. In addition, no less than 22 stands are organising charity tombolas and some will also be arranging for musical entertainment at their stands at various stages of the week-end.
Opening hours: Sat 30 Nov 11:00 - 19:00; Sun 1 Dec 10:00 - 18:00. Free Entrance and free parking at LuxExpo (limited parking); Bus Line #1, with additional buses on those two days. A creche for children aged 2-8 years will also be operational at the bazaar at a small cost. Grand Duchess Marie-Teresa will all attend the event on the Saturday afternoon for the formal opening.
Photo by Geoff Thompson (L-R): Anne-Elisabeth Bonichot; Marie-Hélène Ehrke-Harf, President; Erika Ehrhard, responsible for Press and Marketing
