BAZAAR 2007
Another joyful Bazaar is over. The UN family once again came together for a good cause. We all tasted delicious food from different countries, were captivated and even danced to a variety of music, admired the objects from home countries, bought gifts to our dear ones for the coming festivities. And all the while, we had the satisfaction of knowing that we were helping a child somewhere in the world who is in need.
ISIL UZUMCU, CHAIRWOMAN
The star of the Opening Ceremony was a ten-year old girl from the Philippines who lives in Switzerland. Lica is a budding talent and she charmed the whole audience with her beautiful voice. The Opening Ceremony was a colorful one in general, with the whole Bazaar Committee dressed in their traditional clothes. The Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the UN, Ambassador Blaise Godet and the Director-General Mr. Ordzhonikidze honoured us with a few welcoming words.
This year we had the highest number of participants. Ninety missions participated in the Bazaar; seventy held national and/or restaurant stalls and the other twenty contributed otherwise to the Bazaar. We counted over six thousand visitors from the UN community, from Geneva and neighboring France. The Bazaar also had a distinct ‘carnival’ air thanks to two wonderful groups who delighted us with their music: the Paraguayan group, who comes from Lausanne and Neuchâtel, every year, and our very famous Jazz group from the UN in Geneva.
Once the notary had taken his seat, the Lottery was drawn amid tangible anticipation at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Director of Renault in Paris, Mr. Pierson was the one to give away his company’s donation to this year’s lottery, the TWINGO. The lucky car winner was a security official from the UNOG. His excitement and joy were shared by all present. The second prize was drawn by Dr.Asha-Rose Migiro, the Deputy Secretary-General of the UN from New York. Dr. Migiro honored us with her presence; she spoke appreciative and kind words about our efforts and our goals.
I am overjoyed with the success of the Bazaar. We have earned over 300,000 CHF which will be distributed among projects targeting children in need worldwide. Months of preparation and hard work of so many people has paid off.
I would like to thank UN Director General Mr. Ordzhonikidze for hosting this event on UN premises and the UN staff for their efforts that made all of this possible. I want to thank all the missions for their participation. Without their contribution, there would be no Bazaar. I am also grateful to those individuals and organizations who have donated to this year’s bazaar. I want to thank all the members of UNWG, their President Yvonne Ismail-Urfer, all the volunteers and especially the members of my bazaar committee for their support and their dedication to organize this great event together: our Bazaar in the Palais des Nations.
