Kermesse Oecuménique - the Garden Club of Monaco

Each year, before Christmas, there is a Kermesse Oecuménique held in the chapiteau (circus tent) in Fontvieille. A kermesse is a charity bazaar - this one is in aid of six different charities in Monaco.

There are 25 stands with 200 volunteers selling clothes, gifts, bric a brac, jewellry, toys, home-made food for Christmas, household items - we'll meet more volunteers and see more stands over the coming days. Everything is donated and often you find great bargains and, it being Monaco, of good quality - for instance, in the clothing section it's not hard to find designer clothes if that's your 'thing.'

The Kermesse is also a cosmopolitan rendevous for people of all nationalities who live in and around Monaco - the Brits, the Germans, the Italians and the French, of course and many other nationalities too - so it's a great day out in aid of charity and to meet up with friends. The stands are placed in a circle (ie following the shape of the circus tent) and in the centre are 60 tables and I can tell you the food is always great at this event. I always make a beeline for the second-hand bookstall which has thousands of English books.

I was invited to get there early to take photographs of all the standholders. A bit daunting as photographing inside the tent isn't easy. There are a few harsh lights and no natural light at all. I decided to take each photograph with and without flash but only the ones taken with flash worked. As I went around and got chatting to people - many of whom I know and are friends - of course I forgot the flash - duh! but over the next few days I'll show you a few photographs of the great people who give up their time and effort for this very worthwhile charity event.

Here are the great ladies of the Garden Club of Monaco.