Ukrainian booth was one of the most popular among visitors of the annual charity event "Small World-2012", which was held in Abu Dhabi on March 16, 2012. Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of UAE H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan visited the Ukrainian exposition. The diplomats of the Embassy of Ukraine in the United Arab Emirates briefed the honourable guest about special Ukrainian symbols, traditions and Ukrainian cuisine.

The second Small World festival was held this year in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The representatives of 19 countries residing in UAE presented their culture (national clothes, cuisine, music, dance, etc.) at the fundraising event aimed to collect money for children in need all over the world. This year’s charity event was dedicated to combating child slavery and children’s work exploitation.

The visitors highly appreciated Ukrainian hospitality and open-heartedness: the Ukrainian stand was visited by those willing to taste pyrizhky, sweets, salo and horilka. The foreigners had the possibility to raise their awareness about Ukraine, football championship Euro-2012 from booklets and informational materials available in the booth as well as from thematic video clips and film demonstrated on the screen.

On the stage Ukrainian culture was represented by the students of Emirati choreographer of Ukrainian origin Ms. Svitlana Al-Neyadi with the performance of Ukrainian dance under the accompaniment of Sophia Rotaru’s song “Odna Kalyna”.

The part of the funds raised at the charity fair will be transferred to the Red Cross society of Ukraine and will be used for the favour of kids who suffered from child slavery and children’s work exploitation as well as for raising awareness about the necessity to combat these social crimes.