KUWAIT CITY, Sept 11: The International Women's Group opened its new season of 2023-2024 on Sunday, Sept 10 with an ‘English Tea Party’ at the Al Jawhara Ballroom, Crowne Plaza Hotel, in the presence of the group's board and members.

The guests to the event were welcomed by Mrs. Laila Boulos, public relations coordinator, and introduced the group’s incoming President.

The new IWG President, Mrs. Antonia Dimitrova, is the spouse of the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Kuwait. Speaking on the occasion Mrs Dimitrova thanked Sheikha Hanouf Bader Al Mohammed Al Sabah, the Honorary President of IWG, for her continued support and guidance and expressed her appreciation for her predecessor Mrs. Ghada Ahmed Shawky, spouse of the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Kuwait.

When expressing her gratitude to the Board and members of the IWG, she emphasized her deep honor to be IWG's President during its 35th anniversary year. She made a commitment to further enrich IWG's rich history of cultural exchange through a diverse range of social activities and events.

She emphasized that the International Women's Group was founded in 1988 when a group of visionary women came together with the aspiration of uniting women from diverse nationalities in Kuwait. Their primary aim was to foster friendship, mutual understanding, and cooperation among these women.

She went on to say that even after 35 years, this noble objective remained at the core of the organization. It continued to thrive through the exchange of cultures and traditions among its members, who, together with their esteemed Kuwaiti counterparts, represented nearly a hundred nationalities from across the globe.

Mrs. Dimitrova then introduced the group’s two new Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Saia Berdibay, spouse of the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Kuwait, and Mrs. Polina Dlamini, spouse of the Kingdom of Eswatini who were greeted with a very warm welcome by the members.

All those who attended the event had come prepared for the ‘English Tea Party’ and enjoyed this very special first event of the season which featured a beautiful live piano performance by Mrs. Harriet Bushman.

There were various interactive stations, with a Photo Studio featuring the characters of Mary Poppins, Beef Eater, and Royal Guard; Souvenir and Sweet corners, a Tea Stand and an English Bakery. The event also included informative Video presentations, a special dessert demonstration followed by an engaging game with prizes, a raffle, and other fun surprises thrilling all.

As the event concluded, certificates of gratitude were presented to everyone whose contributions played a pivotal role in ensuring the event's tremendous success.

This included recognition for the exceptional hospitality extended by the Premiers Tea Company, Food Choice Company, The British Embassy, and the dedicated team at Crown Plaza for their outstanding hospitality.

By Paul Francis X. Fernandes
Arab Times Staff