The 18th Annual International Charity Bazaar organised by the Spouses of Heads of Mission in Warsaw (SHOM) took place in the PGE Narodowy Arena in Warsaw on 7 December.
The bazaar is one of Warsaw’s most significant fundraising events of the year. This year, 62 embassies participated and the proceeds from the fair will support 17 Polish charities that provide care and assistance to the most vulnerable people in society, including disabled adults and children, orphans, patients battling cancer, children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, marginalised communities, migrant women, single mothers, homeless persons, the elderly and those living in poverty.
The 2025 International Charity Bazaar was held under the Honorary Patronage of the First Lady of Poland, Mrs Marta Nawrocka. During a meeting at the Presidential Palace in October, Mrs Eva Lorijn, SHOM President (2025-2026) and wife of the Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Poland, invited the First Lady to support the initiative.
The First Lady visited the stands of each of the participating charities and those of the embassies, taking an interest in the many products on display, including arts & crafts, decorative items, embroidery, jewellery, food products, and many other items from around the world. “During this special pre-holiday season, the SHOM Charity Bazaar allows us to give a little bit of kindness to others. By purchasing unique gifts from around the world, we can simultaneously help children, seniors, people with disabilities, and those in need of support,” said Mrs Marta Nawrocka.
When opening of the Bazaar, Mrs Eva Lorijn paid tribute to the many persons that made this event possible, including the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, H.E. the Apostolic Nuncio, Mrs Irena Lichnerowicz, Director of Diplomatic Protocol, the members of the 2025-2026 SHOM Board, and the many sponsors, volunteers and members of the participating embassies and charities. “I would like to take a moment to invite you to look around, at what a diverse group of people from all over the world can achieve when they put their hands together. Our diversity and shared humanity is our strength. […] This Bazaar is more than a celebration of culture and friendship. It is an opportunity to bring dignity, respect, acceptance, warmth to people in need. An opportunity to restore hope”.
For a video about the SHOM International Charity Bazaar 2025 produced by the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland, please visit: https://youtu.be/yMVFrLVo6Qo
