Head to the Christmas Charity Bazaar at GFH today!
Members of the ICCB organising committee (from left): Anusha Sethwala, Marie Saleem, Annika Fernando and Fatema Jafferjee. Pix by Amila Gamage
The Spa Ceylon International Christmas Charity Bazaar 2019 is on today from 11 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. at the Galle Face Hotel and it’s a sale that you don’t want to miss as treats, gifts and goodies from across the globe could be yours to purchase and enjoy.
The Sunday Times had a little sneak peek at what is in store at the different stalls and talked to a few committee members as to what makes the 37th edition of the Spa Ceylon ICCB different from the rest.
“First of all we are very happy that we do have a Bazaar with everything that has happened this year. When we saw that the sponsors were supporting and backing us and that the participants were ever ready to take part, there was no question that we had to have the Bazaar this year!” ICCB chairperson Fatema Jafferjee says.
Ummulbanin Caderbhoy and Jameela Azeem
“The Bazaar is what it is; it has been successful because of what we offer, and the fact that we can do the same thing every year is great but we try to keep making it better, ” she smiles as she shares that she hopes to see a huge crowd today at Galle Face Hotel that will come out to support the charities, the countries and the Bazaar itself.
It is bound to be a trip around the globe minus the plane tickets as countries come together today to offer you a chance to get some international Christmas gifts for your loved ones (and for yourself, of course!).
Allegra Baistrocchi
“What does Italy not have in store for you?” laughs Allegra Baistrocchi as she tells us about the Italian goods they have lined up for sale at the Bazaar, from oils, pastas, wine and sauces that the country is well known for, to some other special prizes that have been specially brought down for the ladies.
“We also have a charity within a charity, it’s an Italian NGO based in India called ‘I was a Saree’, where discarded sarees are upcycled to shoes, bags or more, ” Allegra elaborates on how these items will also be available to purchase today and the proceeds will help empower women.
“This time, we have a whole lot of tiles, decorative and beautifully designed to be used as coasters and heat mats. We are hoping that we will have a really good turn out this time. There will also be Turkish delights and dried fruit. Every year it gets better and better, and this year we hope there will be a bigger turnout as we have a bigger space for the bazaar. We are really looking forward to it,” says Himali Devendra who represents the Turkey stall.
Himali Devendra
Jameela Azeem and Ummulbanin Caderbhoy from the Pakistan Women’s Association consider it a thrilling experience. “It’s very nice to work together with different participants from different countries and it’s great that we can expose people to our handicrafts, pottery, ceramics and food,” they say. Alongside embroidered bags, jewellery, shawls, table runners and onyx items there is also a whole variety of mouth-watering authentic Pakistani treats to enjoy such as Biriyani, Haleen, Kheer, Chicken cutlets, samosas and gulab jamun.
For ICCB committee member Annika Fernando who has been in the committee for seven years, this year is very meaningful. “I think this particular year is very special because earlier this year, we did not think we could pull this off but the charities we support need it. I think given the year and all we have gone through, it means a lot,” she says.
She went on to tell us the space being used is three times bigger than last year, about the charities, organisations and countries participating, the amazing lucky dip by Spa Ceylon as well as their own lucky dip that which in her words “is quite legendary”, a spectacular raffle that all go to make the Bazaar a must-visit today. It could be a lovely family day-out with the Galle Face Hotel hosting a fantastic brunch packed with entertainment for both kids and adults, she adds.
A section of the crowd at the news conference to announce the event
The title sponsor of the ICCB is Spa Ceylon with Galle Face Hotel as the official venue partner. Joining hands with the ICCB as well is Studio NiceOne as the creative partner, Anim8 as printing partner and Qatar Airways becoming a raffle sponsor with the donation of the first prize which are two airline tickets to any destination. Wijeya Newspapers are the media partners on board, with Elysian also another sponsor of the ICCB for the second year running.
Entrance tickets priced at Rs. 700 are available at the venue. Raffle tickets are Rs. 1,000.