The Charity Bazaar organized by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Spouses Association (DMEDD) took place on Saturday 26 November 2011 in Ankara.

More than 2500 people, foreigners and Turkish nationals, including the spouse of minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoğlu, visited the Bazaar. At the Belgian stand the most various products were on sale: from Belgian (Neuhaus, Callebaut, Guylian, Belcolade) or Belgian-Turkish (Godiva) chocolates to duck liver paste (Upignac), from Belgian beer (Leffe) to alcohol-free champagne (Night Orient), from Ice-Watches to Antwerp diamonds (MSD). Some of the items, including the diamonds, were sold out within the hour after the opening!

The bazaar was a huge success. It took the ladies “manning” the Belgian stand, led by Ann Lagring – De Witte, spouse of the Belgian Ambassador, less than six hours to collect nearly 20.000 TL (over 8000 Euro), thereby doubling last year’s revenue. No wonder that Belgium did better than any other participant !

The Belgian Embassy is grateful to all the Belgian and Turkish companies which, by offering products free of charge, contributed to this magnificent result. With the proceeds of the bazaar DMEDD will be able to finance scholarships for talented Turkish students without means. Thanks to the companies’ support and the enthusiasm of the team of the Belgian Embassy many Turkish students without means will be able to continue their studies.