Georgia’s International Women’s Association (IWA) is reviving its Spring Fair, which will be held for the first time in years at the Paragraph Hotel, Tbilisi, on Sunday, April 14.
This fair will be unique from the one IWA holds in the winter at the Sheraton Hotel, yet will also feature different vendors and have a children’s corner so everyone aged two to 15 can also find something to enjoy. Additionally, there will be international schools talking about their programs, an arts and crafts space, and a tourist section to learn about expats in Georgia and the different places to explore in the country outside of Tbilisi. IWA’s Public Relations chair Silvia Mera said there will also be Georgian wine and tea, plus food on sale for guests to indulge in.
“I think the fact that every single member of the family will find something to look at and stay entertained makes it very appealing,” said Mera. “Don’t forget, also, the fact that you will be able to go and discover the Paragraph Hotel!”
There will also be a raffle with various sponsors, among them Tegeta, Gastronome and the Paragraph Hotel, so guests can buy a ticket and try their luck at winning a bottle of prosecco or a free night and spa day for two at the Paragraph. The Spring Fair will also highlight the organization’s projects that they are currently working on, and visitors will be able to speak with members of IWA to learn more about the organization and what they do.
IWA was established in Georgia in 1996. Mera tells GEORGIA TODAY that they focus on helping individuals who don’t have access to funds when it comes to health issues but also on creating an inclusive environment for foreigners living in Georgia. The organization is open to both expats and Georgian natives.
“The organization continues to function as a safety net for expat women who arrive in Tbilisi, helping them to settle in, find their interests, mix with Georgian women, and learn about the culture and richness of their host country. We are also a charity NGO which supports grassroots organizations with a focus on women and vulnerable groups of Georgian society.”
Some of the community projects IWA is a part of include NNPL Childhood Cancer Super Heroes, the Georgian Association for Equality, The Salvation Army Georgia, and MAC Georgia. Some members of the organization also work on individual projects, assisting in support for dental treatment, liver treatment medication, and giving scholarships at the Academy of International Education Tbilisi in the culinary profession.
Currently, there are roughly 150 members of IWA, and there is a regulation that only 20-25% of them can be Georgian. Anyone can apply and sign up; however, there is a yearly registration fee and each person interested needs to be sponsored by someone who is already a part of the organization. The funding goes toward assisting individuals through charity projects and helping expats integrate through events such as culinary experiences, holiday-themed events, weekly coffee meetups, etc.
The Spring Fair was introduced by Mera after she did a tour of the Paragraph. She thought it was the ideal spot because of its central location in Tbilisi, and the fact it’s so new to most people. She became a member of IWA after moving to Georgia in September 2023, and after participating in the Winter Fair and seeing how happy everyone was, she thought it would be great to host another fair in the springtime.
“This is fantastic. It’s a great location for a fair. I heard that IWA used to have a welcome dinner for all the new members along with a spring fair,” said Mera. “Then for me, it just clicked together: We needed a spring fair at the Paragraph.”
Both Mera and another, newer, member of IWA, Anna Jewell, are co-coordinators of the event. Mera tells us how everyone in the organization is putting in 100% effort with decorations and contacting vendors to make the event work and be successful, so that it can become an annual event.
“I’m very impressed with how well it is organized and the enthusiasm of its members,” wrote Jewell in an email. “I am sure that our visitors will be able to enjoy all the fair has to offer, knowing that all the funds raised will be used to benefit those in need here in Georgia.”
Entrance will be free for attendees, and all the money raised from the raffle and donations will be dispersed amongst the organization’s projects. This fair will be smaller than the Winter Fair due to space, yet, it is still expected to have a good turnout due to its location.
By Shelbi R. Ankiewicz
