 While the Rouen Salon was a good sign of things to come for these major sales, preparations are underway for the other regional salons. Here is an overview of these international solidarity events that are so important for the communities.
Allowing Emmaus International to directly benefit from part of the funds raised by the sale, the salons provide vital support to the solidarity activities undertaken by the Emmaus groups in the four corners of the world. They are also an opportunity for the Emmaus groups to inform the public about their work, the Movement and the priority programmes at the international level. Thousands of much sought after objects, companions from Normandy, Brittany and the Paris region in attendance, informal opportunities to take the time to get to know each other, an international stand to remind people about the presence of the Emmaus Movement throughout the world, quizzes and games, musical celebrations... In Rouen, all the right ingredients went into the mix! With more than 7500 visitors in a single day, and by keeping the stands topped up throughout the day in order to keep the customers on tenterhooks, the organisors held an exemplary event and really threw all their efforts into working for international solidarity. The proceeds of the day's sales will help to fund the Emmaus Mutual Health Organisation project, which began in Africa and aims to gradually extend to the Emmaus groups in Asia. On the agenda Rouen opened the season, and preparations are currently underway for other regional salons in other communities. As for the east of France, there is a regional salon planned in Charleville on 13 September: more than 20 groups from the east of the country are already at work on this and will seize the opportunity of the salon to raise awareness among the public about Emmaus's work and the diversity of the Movement. The Italian groups will then be taking over, with the Turin Salon from 25 to 27 September to raise funds for the water access programme in Benin. Finally, the Ruffec Salon will close the season of regional solidarity sales on 3 and 4 October 2009. The Paris Salon, on sunday 14 June, will be continuing the tradition - what with special celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary and a series of events each more original than the next, the tenth Paris Salon promises to be full of surprises! |
