ZIWA in the community

The ever-popular ZIWA group is always looking for ways to expand into the local community and last weekend offered two opportunities which were well supported by our members.

For two days over the weekend, the Russian House in Switzerland, a cultural and educational group which supports educational and artistic programs, held its annual Russian Market at the Gemeindschaftszentrum in Wipkingen, beside the River Limmat in northwest Zürich. ZIWA sponsored this event in return for the Russian House advertising ZIWA on their flyers. Members will remember that the two groups first collaborated at the ZIWA April Monthly Meeting which featured Russian culture, music and food.
On this occasion, which has become a regular feature in Zürich, there were stalls selling art, handicrafts, Russian dolls, food and drinks, there were games for children and a Russian choir sang some typical folk songs. Several Russian-speaking ZIWA members and others went along to sample the delicious potato cakes, stuffed pancakes, borscht and other specialities and try out the Russian vodka and, a first, some Russian wine. The weather smiled on the event which seemed popular with Russians and Swiss alike, as well as the many international guests.

On Sunday in the Gartensaal of the Kongresshaus in Zürich, this year's Expat Expo took place, and was supported by over 100 English-speaking businesses. Schools, the Open University, financial institutions, bookshops and many local small businesses had stands promoting their products, as well as several stands offering prize raffles, food and wine tasting and the sale of Australian, American and British produce. The ZIWA stand, showing off the new banners, was continually busy with families making enquiries about becoming a member of one of Zürich's biggest multi-cultural groups for women. The Expat Expo is going on the road to Geneva, Luzern, Zug and Basel, so you can catch it there too.

See these links for further information: www.russischeshaus.ch    www.expat-expo.info