The 3rd ASEAN Plus Charity Bazaar: Bringing ASEAN and Vietnam Closer to Greek Friends

Hội chợ từ thiện ASEAN Plus lần thứ 3: Đưa ASEAN và Việt Nam tới bạn bè Hy Lạp

Delegates take a group photo.

Within the framework of activities as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Greece (ACAT), from May 3-4, the Vietnamese Embassy hosted, together with ASEAN countries and the Greek charity organization “Friends of Children”, the 3rd ASEAN Plus Bazaar in Athens.

This year's Fair was attended by embassies of 9 countries, including 4 ACAT member countries: Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and 5 embassies of comprehensive strategic partners, dialogue partners in each field and traditional friends of ASEAN, including China, Japan, Korea, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Also attending the Fair was the Honorary Consulate of Malaysia in Greece.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Greece Pham Thi Thu Huong delivered the opening speech at the Fair.

Speaking at the opening of the Fair, Vietnamese Ambassador to Greece Pham Thi Thu Huong emphasized that the organization of the ASEAN Plus Bazaar Charity Fair affirms the spirit and identity of ASEAN when organizing the Fair with other countries to raise funds for projects supporting disadvantaged Greek children of the charity organization "Friends of Children".

This is not only an opportunity for ASEAN countries to strengthen solidarity with Greece but also contributes to consolidating relations between ASEAN and partner countries, bringing ASEAN and the countries participating in the Fair closer to the Greek public through unique cultural performances imbued with the national identity of the countries, traditional handicrafts and cuisine introduced at the Fair.

Taking place at a time when ASEAN and the EU celebrate the 5th anniversary of the elevation of ASEAN-EU relations to a Strategic Partnership, the Fair reflects the growing relationship between ASEAN and Greece.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on behalf of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Spyridon Voulgaris, Director General of the Department for Asia and Oceania, highly appreciated the initiative of ASEAN countries and the active participation of Asian countries in the meaningful Charity Bazaar.

Ambassador Spyridon Voulgaris emphasized that the Fair offers the Greek public an opportunity to explore culinary traditions and unique cultural products, thereby helping people from different countries understand each other better, further connecting Greece with ASEAN and other countries.

Ambassador Pham Thi Thu Huong and Ambassadors and representatives of ACAT member countries.

The ASEAN Plus Bazaar received strong support from the local government when, for the first time, the Psychico district provided the venue for the event free of charge. Speaking at the ceremony, the district’s Deputy Mayor for Culture, Ms. Evelina Paltzoglou, said that the Bazaar is an event that unites cultures and shares a common commitment to social solidarity.

For her part, Chairwoman of the organization “Friends of Children”, Ms. Gianna Panagiotidou, expressed her deep gratitude to ASEAN and ASEAN countries, especially Vietnam as Chair of ASEAN, for organizing this meaningful and humane Fair. For nearly four decades, the organization “Friends of Children” has stood side by side with children from families in very difficult circumstances, providing essential support in the form of food, housing, medical care, educational programs, etc.

During the two-day fair, visitors were taken on a cultural journey through Asia and enjoyed traditional dishes, handicrafts and products from participating countries. The ASEAN Plus Bazaar has become a vibrant cultural exchange activity.