International Residents Prepare for Winter Fair

By Irina Titova

The St. Petersburg Times

Published: November 21, 2012 (Issue # 1736)

This year’s annual Winter Charity Bazaar, organized by the International Women’s Club (IWC), will feature two lotteries as well as the traditional food and crafts stalls selling goods from all over the world.

Proceeds raised at the Winter Bazaar, which will take place at the city’s Astoria Hotel this Sunday, Nov. 25, go to various charities in the city and the Leningrad Oblast, or to individuals who are in urgent need of support.

The bazaar features a variety of international food and craft stalls manned by representatives of foreign communities and consulates. Food and drink, souvenirs and handicrafts specific to each particular country are on sale.

Charity organizations and children’s homes are also represented at the events by stalls selling homemade items.

This year’s Winter Bazaar will feature two lotteries: The traditional Grand Raffle, which offers coveted prizes varying from airline tickets and vouchers for hotels or restaurants to jewelry. In the other lottery, the Lucky Draw, each ticket guarantees a small prize.

The bazaar’s program will also see performances by the Upsala Circus and the Singing Catherines, the choir of the International Women’s Club.

The bazaar’s partners include local hotels that have donated vouchers for overnight stays and meals; drinks companies that have sponsored the soft drinks and beer stands and Stockmann department store, which has donated gift hampers and two 100-euro vouchers to the Grand Raffle.

The bazaar will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday Nov. 25. Admission is free.