Christmas bazaar

This morning I walked up to the 17th Annual Christmas Bazaar, a big charity fund-raising event sponsored by the International Women's Club of Bratislava and the unofficial kick-off of the Christmas season. The event started less than two years after the fall of Communism here.

The Bazaar was held at Stará Tržnica, the "Old Market" building dating to 1910 at the northern edge of Old Town. Normally, this is the site of a modest farmers' market, with fresh produce and flowers. Admission was 100 SKK (about $4.00). The place was absolutely jammed today.

Embassies in Bratislava set up stands selling food and other wares from their countries, with all proceeds going to charity. In the middle left here is the Italian stand. It took a long time, but I eventually worked my way to the counter for a perfect espresso for a mere 20 SKK (about $0.80).

The French were selling fabulous pastries and other goodies at their stand to the left of the Christmas tree here. I had a huge slice of the best bacon quiche of my life here for only 40 SKK (about $1.60).

Staff from the U.S. Embassy were selling quintessential American convenience foods -- Jiffy muffin mix, graham-cracker pre-made pie crusts, pancake mix, etc. No pumpkin pie, alas, even with Thanksgiving next week.

A sign listed the corporate sponsors, a "who's who" of investors in Bratislava in recent years. Many had also donated prizes for the drawings throughout the day.

For most of the event, recorded American Christmas music in English blared from the sound system. One modest improvement for future bazaars might be more international holiday music from the many countries represented, whether recorded or live.

A group from Nitra, a nearby city in Slovakia, wore authentic costumes and sold a wide range of pastries and other goods. Here is a brief clip of their singing of a traditional folk song.

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