Back by popular demand, the 56th Annual SIWA & Diplomatic Community Bazaar (the “Bazaar”), hosted by Seoul International Women’s Association (SIWA), will be taking place on Monday, November 12, 2018 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Lotte Hotel Seoul, a 5-star luxury hotel conveniently located at the heart of Seoul’s central business district. Admission to the event is 5,000 KRW - cash only - to support local charities.

The Bazaar is one of the largest international fundraising events in Seoul. In 2017, over 30 embassies and several expat clubs, local businesses, sponsors, welfare organizations, and SIWA volunteers joined hands to offer visitors a truly international experience. As in years past, countries around the world will be represented at the Bazaar through their respective ethnic cuisines, unique products, and various cultural artifacts. The Bazaar will also feature entertaining performances throughout the day, including an exciting K-popera performance by Gabriel Love. As an added bonus, visitors have the chance to win fantastic Raffle prizes. Through such efforts, the Bazaar has become one of the largest international fundraising events in Seoul, donating to worthy Korean charities every year.

The Bazaar, themed ‘Share Culture, Share Love, Share Life’, is sure to be one to remember and is expected to attract thousands of visitors, including both Korean nationals and expat residents, as well as tourists. The event’s convenient timing and the venue’s central location have drawn members and working professionals all over Seoul, while foreign tourists will find this to be the ultimate stop in experiencing Korean culture, as well as that of dozens of countries represented.

All proceeds generated by SIWA from the event will be donated to over 10 Korean charities, enabling better service to the Korean community, ranging from orphanages and homeless shelters to homes for the disabled or senior citizens. At the 2017 Bazaar, as part of its first ever Philanthropy Project, SIWA presented All Love School with a donation of 20 million KRW, benefiting multicultural students in Korea.  Said SIWA President Robin Carney, "The Bazaar is an incredible opportunity for SIWA, the diplomatic community, and other expat organizations to come together in the spirit of giving back to our host nation of Korea.”

Hosted since the 1960s, the SIWA Bazaar has been a cornerstone of Seoul’s rich charitable history and has raised over three billion Won (KRW 3 billion) over the years. Each year, several dozens of volunteers and sponsors contribute to making this event a success and strive to continue raising funds for Korean charities.