The International Women’s Association of Georgia (IWAG) is bringing back a much-loved seasonal tradition: the annual Winter Fair, taking place on November 29 (10am to 6pm) at the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace. For decades, this event has brought together locals, expatriates, artisans, and embassies for a day of festive shopping, international flavors, and charitable giving.
Since its founding in 1996, IWAG has welcomed women from all backgrounds—Georgian and expatriate alike—while supporting Georgia’s most vulnerable. “From the very beginning, our goal was to combine friendship with meaningful action,” says Nana Dvali, IWAG founder. “We wanted to create a community where people could come together, but also make a real difference for those who needed help the most.”
IWAG’s Beginnings and Growth
IWAG started with just a handful of women—about five or six—who wanted to support those in need while creating a social network for newcomers to Georgia. That same summer, the founders began visiting the Kaspi orphanage, bringing food, clothing, and essential supplies. Over time, the association’s membership grew, embracing women from diplomatic, professional, and local communities. In 2017, IWAG was formally recognized as a charity in Georgia, reflecting its decades of professional management and trusted reputation.
“The heart of IWAG has always been simple,” Nana explains. “Friendship, support, and rolling up our sleeves to help people when it really matters.”
The Origins of the Winter Fair
The Winter Fair began as a small Christmas Bazaar in 1999, hosted in a Sheraton conference room by then-president Judith Yalovitz, wife of the U.S. Ambassador. Around 20 vendors joined, raising roughly $500, which went directly to providing medication and clothing for infants in state care.
Over the years, the Fair evolved from a modest bazaar into IWAG’s largest annual fundraising event. In 2002, local artists from Tbilisi’s Dry Bridge Market were invited to participate, providing them a platform to showcase and sell their work while contributing to IWAG’s mission. In 2009, embassy participation transformed the Fair’s scale: a number of diplomatic missions joined, bringing their own stands, traditional foods, and gifts from their home countries. Friendly competition among embassies emerged, raising substantial funds for charity.
“This was a turning point for the Fair,” Nana recalls. “It became a truly international event, where people could shop for something unique, try foods from around the world, and know that their purchases were helping people in Georgia.”
Hotels and Partners
Since the very first bazaar, the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace has been IWAG’s home, providing generous support and space for the Fair. When the Sheraton temporarily closed for renovations, the Radisson Blu Iveria stepped in, ensuring continuity. Today, the Sheraton remains a committed partner, hosting over 200 vendor tables and creating the perfect festive environment.
Who the Winter Fair Supports
The Winter Fair funds IWAG’s charity projects for the upcoming year. These initiatives focus on individuals in urgent need—emergency medical treatments, cancer care, and other crisis situations—as well as small grassroots organizations that might not have access to large donor funding.
“The Winter Fair allows us to respond quickly to emergencies and support groups that would otherwise be overlooked,” explains Sara Kemecsei, IWAG Vice-President and Fundraising Chair. “It’s flexible, immediate, and impactful.”
Funds raised each year—typically 130,000–140,000 GEL—allow IWAG to support up to 40 projects annually, benefiting women, children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups across Georgia.
Last Year’s Cancellation and Its Impact
In 2024, IWAG faced a difficult decision: the Winter Fair had to be called off. Numerous uncertainties were creating a climate of unpredictability, and it led to a lot of events being cancelled.
“The impact was severe. Without the Fair, we were unable to secure funding for 2025, and from May onward we had to put our grant program on hold. We continued to support urgent emergency cases when possible, but, overall, we could do less than a quarter of our usual work supporting the beneficiaries who rely on us,” Sara notes.
A Special Return in 2025
This year, the Fair is extra special: it is the 25th edition, and next year marks IWAG’s 30th anniversary.
Months of careful planning, volunteer coordination, diplomatic partnerships, and vendor management have gone into bringing the Fair back.
Visitors can expect:
● Family-friendly activities: Two children’s rooms—one supervised care center for parents needing a break, and another hosted by Tbilisi’s international schools with games and activities.
● Music and festive cheer: IWAG’s choir performing Christmas carols throughout the day.
● Special contributions from past beneficiaries: In 2023, Sopiko Piranishvili, battling final-stage osteosarcoma, approached IWAG for support for a New Year community event. Now cancer-free, Sopiko’s organization Oncoline Georgia has grown, winning grants and professional event equipment for her enterprise, KakhetiEvents, which is donating all festive decorations for the 2025 Fair. “Seeing former beneficiaries giving back to the community is incredibly moving,” Sara says. “It’s why this Fair matters so much.”
● Unique gifts and international flavors: Over 200 vendor tables offer art, crafts, and foods from around the world. Many embassies bring traditional dishes that cannot be found elsewhere in Georgia—Swedish meatballs, Japanese sweets, German stollen, Italian panettone, and festive treats from the USA, France, and beyond—offering a true international culinary experience.
Participating embassies and international organizations this year include: Armenia, Austria, Bulgaria, China, Denmark, Czechia, Estonia, the EU, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, UN Women, UNHCR, and the USA.
The Heart of the Fair: Volunteers and Community
The Winter Fair is powered entirely by volunteers. “Every year, dozens of IWAG members dedicate months of work—from decorations to coordinating vendors, children’s activities, schools, embassies, and PR,” Sara says. “It’s amazing to see people come together just to make this happen. Without them, the Fair wouldn’t exist.”
Anyone wishing to volunteer is warmly encouraged to join. Contact iwageorgia@gmail.com.
A Tradition Worth Celebrating
The Winter Fair is more than just a market—it’s a celebration of community, culture, and giving. “It’s a chance to shop for unique gifts, enjoy international flavors, and see firsthand the difference this event makes in people’s lives,” Sara says. “After last year, bringing the Fair back feels more important than ever.”
Join us, explore the festive stalls, taste dishes from around the world, and help make a difference for vulnerable people across Georgia.
By Team GT
