IWCB kiosk at the Christmas Market at Hlavné Námestie in Bratislava. (source: Courtesy of the International Women's Club of Bratislava)
November, for me, is a month to remember to be thankful.
Americans celebrate a secular holiday called Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November, where family and friends come together to share a meal and give thanks. The cornucopia is a symbol of the harvest that will sustain us through the coming winter.
Some years I have celebrated in the traditional way with family and other years I have celebrated outside of the USA with new friends explaining the traditions of roast turkey and pumpkin pie. I lived in Sydney, Australia for a few Thanksgivings, which were complicated by it being almost summertime, making a harvest celebration seem strange. It also clarified that the essence of the holiday is about being thankful and that we can celebrate in any season and on any continent.
This is my first November in Slovakia, and I am thankful for the many new friends that I have made here. These include many from the International Women’s Club of Bratislava (IWCB).
Members of the IWCB Walking Club representing eight countries. (source: Courtesy of the International Women's Club of Bratislava)
Between December 7 and 12, IWCB will be present at the Christmas Market at the Hlavné Námestie square. We will have a kiosk there and will be selling various products donated to us, even jewlery and art items, raising money for the wide array of small non-profit serving the ones in need in Slovakia.
Heidi Curtiss is a consultant in the NGO sector and an active member of the IWCB (International Women’s Club of Bratislava).
Author: Heidi Curtiss
