Bazaar of Diplomats’ Spouses
Spouses of Korean diplomats held an annual charity bazaar in Seoul on Wednesday at the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security.
The association affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) prepared products from around the globe such as food, clothing, jewelry, etc to be sold to visitors.
This year's bazaar drew more visitors than previous ones as over 1,000 people attended the event, a record in the history of the bazaar, according to the ministry.
Lee Myoung-sook, president of the association and wife of Song Min-soon, minister for MOFAT, said that the bazaar, which has been held regularly since 1989, is devoted to raising funds for charity, the key attraction.
``We hold the bazaar every year in order to help people in need such as the disabled and victims of natural disasters at home and abroad,'' Lee said. ``Plus, it is very meaningful that we promote cultural exchanges.''
She went on to say that diplomats' spouses collect unique and precious goods during their stay in foreign countries.
The association also created the charity group, 100-Won-A-Day in 1992, and so far has helped 350 needy families.
Chilean Ambassador to Seoul Adolfo Carafi, who brought Chilean wine and other products to the bazaar, shared the view of the association.
``The purpose of this event is charity, and it's very good. In addition, this promotes cultural exchanges between the nations,'' Carafi said.
Each foreign embassy presented their unique products. For example, the Qatari and Uzbek Embassies brought their traditional breads, and the U.S. Embassy offered a broach made by jewelry artist Lisa Vershbow, the wife of U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow.
Products on sale were prepared with hindsight to previous events. Naomi Al-Midhadi, the wife of Qatari Ambassador Ahmed Al-Midhadi, prepared more Qatari dresses because many visitors enquired about them at last year's bazaar.
Those foreign embassies present at the bazaar were embassies of China, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, Finland, Guatemala, Israel, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Norway, Oman, Panama, Qatar, Sweden, Sudan, Tunisia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, and the United States.
Proceeds from the bazaar totaled about 200 million won including donations. Only 30 percent of that (60 million won) will be used for charity, the rest will be given back to donors for distribution to other aid organizations.
Last year's proceeds were distributed to 15 domestic charity organizations and one international organization for victims of the tsunami.
Another charity group run by the wives of foreign diplomats, who are organizing the ``Parade of Nations 2007,'' sold goods at the bazaar.
Yolanda Ungo, the wife of diplomatic corps' dean and Ambassador of El Salvador Alfredo Ungo, said that it is very important to have charity events with interesting themes, conducted by diplomats' wives.