On 29 November 2025, the international diplomatic Charity Fair 2025 took place at the National Complex Expocenter of Ukraine. For the third year in a row, this Christmas charitable initiative has been bringing compassionate hearts together for Ukraine, creating a space of kindness, mutual support and unity.

The Charity Fair 2025 project is organised by the Ukrainian Diplomatic Spouses Association with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The partners of the event include Kyiv Ambassadors’ Spouses Club, the International Women’s Club of Kyiv (IWCK), the State Enterprise ‘Directorate-General for Rendering Services to Diplomatic Missions’, the Proactive Generation charity fund, and the National Complex Expocenter of Ukraine.

Traditionally, in the run-up to Christmas, the purpose of this charitable initiative is to raise funds in support of humanitarian projects for the needs of service members and for those who require assistance most. This year, the proceeds will be directed towards purchasing chemical warmers for Ukrainian service personnel as part of the Ukrainian Diplomatic Spouses Association’s project Share Warmth with the Defenders, as well as supporting internally displaced children, children and adults with disabilities, elderly people, animal shelters, and joint initiatives of the Ukrainian Diplomatic Spouses Association, Kyiv Ambassadors’ Spouses Club and IWCK.

Embassies of 28 countries took part in the event: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Georgia, Hungary, Iraq, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Order of Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Türkiye, Viet Nam.

The Charity Fair 2025 opened with welcome speeches from Tetiana Sybiha, co-founder and leader of the Ukrainian Diplomatic Spouses Association; Monica Bartoli Formosa, President of the Kyiv Ambassadors’ Spouses Club, spouse of the Ambassador of Italy to Ukraine; and Mary Kay Leonard, President of the International Women’s Club of Kyiv.

In her opening remarks, Tetiana Sybiha expressed gratitude to the partners and participants of the Charity Fair 2025 for their support. She outlined the origins and traditions of the charitable mission, emphasised that the proceeds will be used to assist Ukrainian defenders and those most vulnerable, and noted:

‘Every stand carries symbolic meaning, as it represents our good friends with whom we implement good causes. Among them are artisans, local producers, civil society leaders and benefactors. We also extend our thanks to the Ukrainian Diplomatic Spouses Association, Kyiv Ambassadors’ Spouses Club, the International Women’s Club of Kyiv, the embassies and everyone who has joined this wonderful event.’

For her part, Monica Bartoli Formosa emphasised that it was a great honour for her to welcome guests to this year’s charity fair — an event that has become a symbol of solidarity and unity. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to Ms Tetiana Sybiha for her inspiring leadership, thanked the team of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for their continuous support, and highlighted the resilience of Ukrainians, who, now in the fourth year of full-scale war, continue to demonstrate strength, courage and hope. She added:

‘The charity diplomatic fair is more than a tradition. It is a reminder that even in difficult times, life continues to shine. Today, we celebrate life — its beauty, its fragility and its strength. And we come together to help those who need it most, because compassion is what makes us human, and solidarity is what makes us strong. What we are doing today is an act of love. Thank you for your generosity, your kindness and your belief that together we can make a difference.’

Mary Kay Leonard thanked Ms Tetiana Sybiha for her leadership and inspiration in creating a platform for continued support for Ukraine. She also stressed that even in the most difficult times, shared experiences bring people closer together:

‘The International Women’s Club of Kyiv is a community of foreign women who have come to Ukraine to support. And when people ask me why I stay, my answer is simple: I truly believe that the most beautiful places in the world are worth fighting for and preserving. The work of IWCK focuses on supporting women and children in extremely challenging situations, people with disabilities, and those who need help the most. Your contributions today will allow us to continue this work and support the efforts of all our volunteers.’

After the welcoming addresses, the event officially opened with a performance by the children’s folklore group Pravytsia, who performed traditional Christmas carols and blessings, wishing health, joy and goodwill.

The fair was honoured by the presence of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, who commented to the media:

‘Today’s gathering is not about entertainment but about our tradition and our strength of spirit. Many diplomatic missions are present here today, and for me, as Minister, this carries great significance. That is why I am here today — because this is how other countries demonstrate their solidarity with us. The items presented by each country and by the Ambassadors themselves, as well as the products offered here, will help raise funds and donations for our army. This is of utmost importance, and we have no right to feel fatigue. We are living through an extremely responsible moment and will use every possible means to accelerate our efforts and bring a just peace closer for Ukraine.’

The Charity Fair 2025 unfolded across several themed locations. In the International Hall, representatives of diplomatic missions showcased products from their countries: souvenirs, traditional dishes and sweets. In the Ukrainian Hall, visitors explored the work of more than 35 Ukrainian artists and makers, including traditional craftsmen, artisans and designers, with an opportunity to purchase their original works and crafted products. The Children’s Hall welcomed the youngest guests with workshops on creating Christmas cards for Ukrainian service members, making straw holiday decorations, crafting motanka dolls, designing cards using the Crimean Tatar Örnek ornament, embellishing wooden decorations, and experimenting in a science lab to study physical and chemical processes. Guests also had a unique opportunity to test their first-aid skills at a workshop delivered by the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Ukraine, and to purchase English-language books of various genres from Book Haven — Used Books.

The event also featured a festive concert. The musical programme included soloists and musical and dance ensembles presenting the national cultural traditions of Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Brazil. Ukraine’s rich musical heritage was represented by the folklore ensembles Pravytsia and Oreli, singer Anzhelika Rudnytska who presented her album Spirit of the Unbroken. 2025, and the performers of the Cultural Forces.