On 28 and 29 November 2014, the 46th UN Bazar took place at the Austria Center Vienna. As in the last years, visitors had the opportunity to try specialties and buy presents from more than 40 countries. The Representation of the Kurdistan Regional Government -Iraq (KRG) participated for the third time in a row together with the Embassy of Iraq. The Bazar was organized by the United Nations Women’s Guild (UNWG), which collected the revenues of the sales to support children in need.
The Kurdish-Iraqi booth sold souvenirs, traditional clothing, jewelry, different kinds of foods and delicacies from the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, to introduce the many sides of Kurdish-Iraqi culture to the visitors. The products were imported from the Kurdistan Region and many of the delicacies were baked especially for this event according to traditional recipes. From children’s and non-fiction books to spices and wild pistachios, Tasbihs and jewellery, and to earthen candle holders and vases, the guests of the bazar could find anything to the internationally interested heart’s content. Our colleagues, who sold the different products, wore traditional Kurdish clothes that made them stand out from the crowd because of their excellent production and the many vibrant colours. Often, visitors of the bazar were asking for photos with the elegant Kurdish team, to keep as reminder of the successful event. But also the homemade Kulicha, tea cakes filled with dates or nuts, motivated the visitors to stop by the Iraqi-Kurdish booth more than once and to ask for the recipe of the little delicacies.
Dr Mustafa Ramazan, representative of the KRG in Austria, and His Excellency Dr Surood Najib, Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Austria, participated at the bazar and actively supported their teams. “It makes me happy, and also a bit proud, to see how many people are interested in our culture and tradition”, Dr Ramazan exclaimed. “Even more so, as the event takes place in the context of an important charity campaign. We are grateful to the UN-Women’s Guild for the great organization and to our friends at the Iraqi Embassy for their cooperation, and are very happy about the numerous interested visitors.” Dr Surood Najib thanked the Representation of the KRG in Austria for their efforts: “We are thankful and grateful for the participation of the Kurdistan Regional Government Office in Vienna with our Embassy in the United Nations humanitarian Bazar for the Benefit of the needy children around the world.”
The bazar, organized by the Women’s Guild of the United Nations, is an annual event of which the proceeds are given to charity organizations dedicated to the benefit of children in need. In addition to the charity-aspect of the event, the bazar also offers the participating countries the opportunity to present themselves and their cultures, and thus supports international understanding, openness and respect.