This year’s diplomatic community bazaar will be held at 63 Convention Center on the second floor of the Samyuk Building in Yeouido in Seoul on Nov. 10, said the president of the Seoul International Women’s Association in a press statement.

“This year the Bazaar will be held at a new venue: the second floor of the beautiful 63 Convention Center with everything on one floor. Conveniently located on Yeouido Island, with an ATM on-site, the Convention Center has ample parking facilities and easy public transport access from three surrounding subway lines,” said Sophia Barry, SIWA’s new president. “Visitors may also enjoy the 63 World, Sky Deck or IMAX Theater within the very same building.”

Sophia Barry took over as the group’s president this month.

The bazaar is also a signature event for the foreign diplomatic community, with more than 40 embassies working with women’s clubs, welfare organizations and vendors as well as local and international sponsors to raise cash for charity.

The bazaar benefits more than 30 Korean charities each year through the SIWA Welfare Program.

The association, created in 1962, is a group of women from all over the world working to enhance expatriate life in Korea while supporting the needy here. SIWA has held the diplomatic bazaar since 1970, raising more than $2 million to support many different local charities through SIWA’s welfare program.

This year marks the 35th iteration of the largest charity bazaar of South Korea’s foreign diplomatic community. Admission is free to all visitors.

Over 50 embassies, women’s clubs, charity groups and vendors participate in the bazaar, selling goods from around the world. Businesses donate generously either with a cash donation or company products.

“I am delighted with my transition to president. Continuing to oversee the bazaar works perfectly as both roles work broadly across SIWA and interacting with the community is such an important part of that,” Barry said.

Quality goods can be found at the all-day event, from Italian handbags to Swiss pastries. Visitors also have a chance to win prizes from boutiques and well-established stores and restaurants in the Instant Lucky Draw and Grand Raffle, Barry said.

By Philip Iglauer (ephilip2014@heraldcorp.com)