On November 23, 2025, Bratislava was once again a meeting place for diplomacy, the international community, and local associations working for the common good. The 31st edition of the Christmas Charity Bazaar, organized by the International Women’s Club of Bratislava (IWCB), was held in the historic Old Market Hall (Stará tržnica) on Námestie SNP. The event, one of the longest-running of its kind in Slovakia, confirms its uniqueness year after year: it brings together the customs, art, and gastronomy of different countries in one place, directing all proceeds to support Slovak humanitarian organizations. The date of this year's edition – Sunday, November 23, 2025 – allowed for a great turnout of the local audience and visitors from neighboring countries, who often combined the bazaar with Advent attractions in the city center and a short city break. For all those who planned to arrive from other places, timely reservation of accommodation in Bratislava proved to be a practical step due to increased demand during the holiday period.

Among some thirty national stands, the Croatian one stood out in particular, where, alongside the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Bratislava, representatives of the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) Representative Office for the Slovak market actively participated. In the carefully designed offer, the emphasis was on products and stories that convey a sense of place: traditional cheeses and cakes, olive oils and spice blends, handicrafts, and souvenirs with motifs of the Adriatic and continental Croatia. Visitors lingered there not only for tastings but also to discuss ideas for their next trip – from short winter escapes, through spring and autumn gastro-tours, to hiking and cycling routes. Since many visitors already had experience staying in Croatia, memories of previous vacations and plans for new discoveries of Croatian regions naturally met at the stand.

The Humanitarian Core and the Role of the Local Community

The IWCB Christmas Charity Bazaar has profiled itself as a central point for collecting aid for projects that improve the quality of life in Slovakia. The focus is on initiatives contributing to children and youth, the elderly and the sick, social inclusion, support for people with disabilities, education, and mental health. The humanitarian character of the event is not just a formal framework, but its essence: every ticket and every product purchased at the stands turns into real support for non-profit organizations working in the field. Tradition, transparency, and the long-standing trust that the organizer builds with donors and beneficiaries are the foundation of the bazaar's reputation and the reason why it attracts thousands of people – from families with children to members of the diplomatic and business corps.

This year's edition was held under the patronage of Mayor Matúš Vallo, which further confirms that the city administration recognizes the public value in the event and nurtures a partnership with the organizer. The space of the Old Market Hall – architecturally recognizable and functionally flexible – contributed to the flow of visitor movement and the visibility of exhibition units. The signage was clear, and the layout of counters and the stage allowed the program and shopping to complement each other naturally. For visitors from outside the city, it was particularly useful to stay in the central districts so that the hall could be reached on foot or by tram; therefore, numerous recommendations pointed to the timely reservation of accommodation in Bratislava.

The Croatian Story at the Bazaar: Tastes, Scents, and "First-Hand" Conversations

The Croatian stand was a place of meeting and exchange of experiences. The tastings offered a wide cross-section – from fresh and aged cheeses to holiday sweets traditionally served in December. Visitors inquired about smaller, authentic destinations outside the usual resorts, about possibilities for winter and spring holidays, about thematic routes (wine roads, olive oil paths, enological tours), and about family trips through national parks and nature parks. Conversations also emphasized the value of cultural itineraries connecting heritage and contemporary art, as well as "city-break" formats – Zagreb, Split, Zadar, Šibenik, Rijeka, Pula, and Osijek stood out as logical starting points for shorter trips by plane or train.

HTZ representatives conducted structured conversations with partners from travel agencies and media, highlighting current transport connections between Slovakia and Croatian airports, as well as comfortable road and rail combinations for families and smaller groups. The advantages of traveling outside the peak season were especially emphasized: more pleasant temperatures, more available accommodation, greater possibility of personalizing tours, and meetings with local hosts. Increasingly important topics are sustainability and a more even distribution of tourist traffic throughout the year – travelers are increasingly looking for less crowded destinations, mountain and continental routes, and experiences that combine gastronomy, nature, and cultural content. Precisely for this reason, suggestions for hiking and cycling, one-day eno-gastro excursions, and visits to local events and museums attracted attention.

Program on Stage: Music, Dance, and Intercultural "Bridges"

The atmosphere of the bazaar was also shaped by a dynamic all-day program on stage. Folklore performances, children's choirs, instrumental recitals, and contemporary dance numbers alternated, giving each country space to present part of its traditional and modern culture. The performances were designed to complement the gastro-offer: while tasting and buying at the stands, one could listen to or watch short performances on stage, so the stay in the hall had a rhythm of natural exchange of impressions. Such an approach encourages learning through experience – the audience does not remain merely in the role of an observer or customer but becomes a participant in an event that celebrates diversity.

The organizers paid special attention to families. Children's workshops and rest corners were prepared, as well as clearly marked zones for movement with strollers. Since the event regularly gathers several thousand people, logistical details were worked out to the smallest detail: from fire exits and volunteer schedules to drinking water points. Visitors who came from outside the city were helped by instructions for arrival by public transport and recommendations for combining the visit to the bazaar with a tour of the center – the answer to the simple question "what after the bazaar?" was often: a leisurely walk through the historic core, viewing galleries and museums, and enjoying the Advent atmosphere. In this context, too, it was useful to secure accommodation in Bratislava in time, especially for weekend packages.

Why HTZ's Presence is Important

Participation in the bazaar has multiple values for HTZ. Reputationally, it shows openness, solidarity, and readiness to network with local stakeholders. Market-wise, it gathers a target audience – travelers who gladly discover new destinations, actively follow the cultural scene, and invest in quality experiences. Partner-wise, it brings the possibility of quick connection with travel agencies, media, cultural institutions, and the civil sector, in an informal atmosphere that facilitates the exchange of ideas. This year, the emphasized themes were travel with a focus on authenticity – smaller accommodation facilities, meetings with hosts, local markets, thematic workshops – and sustainability: traveling outside the peak season, using public transport, and choosing quality, but not overburdened locations.

Informative materials on wine roads, olive oil points, national parks, nature parks, and cultural routes connecting heritage and contemporary art were available at the stand. Visitors looked for concrete itineraries for three to five days, seasonal recommendations, as well as ideas for combining the coast and the hinterland. At the same time, better land and air connections were discussed, enabling flexible planning and quick weekend escapes. Interest was also expressed for "quiet luxury" – smaller, designer-decorated facilities and boutique hotels in historic cores – as well as for active vacations in nature, from light family walks to more demanding hiking ascents.

Stará tržnica as a Symbol of Meeting

Stará tržnica is not just a neutral space, but a symbolic stronghold of the event. The historic building, carefully restored to preserve its originality, created a "city living room" atmosphere with its spacious floor plan and natural light. The layout of exhibition counters, clearly marked corridors, and good visibility of the stage allowed visitors to move naturally and without lingering. Tram stops and bicycle paths are located in the immediate vicinity, and the pedestrian zone around Námestie SNP invites a leisurely tour of the center after the bazaar. For visitors who arrived a day earlier or stayed after the event, accommodation in Bratislava near public transport was recommended – a solution that reduces stress and leaves more time for sightseeing cultural locations.

Humanitarian Impact: From Idea to Concrete Support

The fundamental purpose of the bazaar remains the same for three decades: raising funds for associations and initiatives that care for the most vulnerable. The mechanism is simple and transparent – revenue from tickets and item sales goes into a common fund, and then, after evaluating applications and needs, is directed towards organizations with clear goals and proven impact. In addition to financial donations, the event also brings non-financial benefits: it strengthens the visibility of topics such as inclusion, mental health, and education, connects volunteers and professionals, and creates support networks that outlive one Advent weekend. For many small producers and associations, participation also means an opportunity to present their work to a wider audience, to collect contacts and partners, and to place their products in a context that emphasizes the story of origin and values.

Authentic products – handmade decorations, natural cosmetics, local delicacies – have been the reason visitors return for years. Buying such items supports small producers and nurtures responsible consumption. Croatian exhibitors fitted into that spirit with quality and a clear emphasis on originality: the choice of ingredients, the method of production, and the story of the region from which the products come are just as important as the taste or utility value itself. Thus, the bridge between tourist interest and humanitarian purpose is built spontaneously – visitors leave with concrete memories and information, and part of the funds returns to the community through aid programs.

Logistics of Arrival and Movement

Stará tržnica is located at Námestie SNP 25, in the pedestrian zone of the old center. The space is covered and heated, so weather conditions do not affect the program. The organizers recommended cash payment at certain stands, although card payment is increasingly widespread; clear signage and volunteer schedules facilitated movement. The nearest tram lines connect the complex with the Main Railway Station and the Nivy bus station, and fast bus connections to the center are also available from the M. R. Štefánik Airport. For visitors from other cities, it is practical to plan arrival with earlier morning departures and, if possible, choose accommodation in Bratislava within the wider center so that most points can be visited on foot.

Broader European Context and Partnerships

Humanitarian bazaars of a similar type are held in a series of European capitals, but the Bratislava example is specific for its combination of longevity, local ownership of the space, and strong support from city authorities. With the participation of numerous embassies and cultural institutes, the event has become a platform for collaborations that go beyond a one-day event – from school exchanges to cultural residencies and joint fundraising campaigns. Within this framework, the presence of HTZ is natural: tourism increasingly rests on the exchange of knowledge, sustainability, and diversity of offer, while travelers seek content that combines staying in nature, local gastronomy, and cultural experiences. Such an approach creates added value for both Croatian and Slovak partners, but also for the visitors themselves who are searching for experiences with a "story".

The year 2025 brought increased audience interest in travel with additional social value: voluntourism programs, visits to protected areas with expert guidance, traditional skills workshops, and itineraries that evenly distribute traffic through multiple regions and outside the peak season. Croatia, through conversations at the stand and informative materials, presented options close to Slovak travelers: family-friendly hiking trails, clearly marked cycling routes, small museums and galleries in historic cores, as well as accommodation facilities that encourage a longer stay and deeper acquaintance with the local community. Thereby, the story of vacation was naturally connected with the values that the bazaar itself advocates – solidarity, responsibility, and mutual respect.

Although the focus of the day was on the humanitarian impact, the bazaar repeatedly proved that culture, gastronomy, and tourism act as multipliers of good practices. From the visitor's perspective, it is a unique opportunity for a "journey in the palm of your hand" – to get to know different countries through tastes, sounds, and conversations – while concretely contributing to the community. For Croatia, participation meant strong visibility and an opportunity for direct dialogue with an audience that actively plans trips throughout the year. For Bratislava, on the other hand, it is a confirmation of its status as a hospitable and well-connected European capital where the values of solidarity and intercultural dialogue are constantly lived.