The International Women’s Club of Riga have the pleasure to invite you to participate in our Annual Christmas Bazaar, which is a timeless and much loved-tradition in Riga, bringing
together Embassies, organisations, charities and local businesses to celebrate the Christmas season and support local charities.
One of the Christmas Bazaar activities is the online auction! Bid on international experiences and valuable goods through an online bidding process, just before the Winter holidays. The
auction will be online for 13 days, starting Sunday, 1 December 2024 at 12:00 and ending Friday, 13 December 2024 at 12:00. Be quick to place your bids! Shop unique experiences, high valuable items – and enjoy the cultural diversity. With your bid, you are helping us to generate funds for local charities. Your purchased items will be available for pick up or will be emailed to you upon completion of payment.
We are very grateful for the Agency for Support for BEREC (the BEREC Office) supporting our efforts by continuing to provide the technical solution for this auction. Today, we met virtually with Ms Verena Weber, the newly-appointed Director of the Agency for Support for BEREC and our President of the International Women’s Club of Riga, Ms Laila Stancioff.
Find out more about the IWCR Christmas Bazaar: Christmas Bazaar 2024
IWCR: We are aware that the BEREC Office is the only European Union Agency located in Latvia since 2011. You have supported the Charity Bazaar organised by the International Women Club of Riga since 2019. What motivates the BEREC Office to participate in local initiatives and support the IWCR for the past years?
As the newly appointed Director of the BEREC Office, I am proud to continue our longstanding tradition of supporting the IWCR charity initiative, which helps those in need in Latvia. Although the BEREC Office is a small EU agency, we are a multinational family and we understand the importance of helping others in need. As a decentralized EU agency, we are also involved in many local activities here in Latvia, where we can be closer to the citizens by promoting the EU’s core values. We believe that the Charity Bazaar is an exceptional cause, and we are committed to donating our time and energy to it. At the Bazaar on 1 December 2024, instead of the previously offered photo booth, this time we will provide an opportunity to capture emotions and smiles at our premium 360-degree video booth. Additionally, we will provide a selection of delicious snacks – sweet and salty popcorn, as well as soft ice cream for the first time. We will also ensure full technical support for the online auction platform, enabling everyone to bid on unique items that would make perfect gifts for loved ones this winter. The auction takes place from 1 to 13 December – do not miss it!
IWCR: What has been one of your most striking or meaningful impressions of Latvia during your first months here?
I started working here in Latvia in the middle of summer, only half a year ago, and one of my first and most striking impressions of Latvia has been its strong national pride and the deep connection to its history and culture. I was particularly moved by the country’s celebrations of its independence and the ongoing efforts to preserve Latvian traditions. The natural beauty of Latvia, with its forests, lakes, and coastline, has also made a lasting impression on me. The warm hospitality of the people has made my transition here even more enjoyable and welcoming.
IWCR: Coming from Germany, could you share how Winter season is celebrated there? Are there any unique traditions that hold special significance in your country?
In Germany, Christmas is celebrated with a strong emphasis on family traditions and festive cheer. One of the most beloved traditions is the Advent calendar, where we count down the days to Christmas with little gifts or chocolates behind each door. The Christmas markets, or ‘Weihnachtsmärkte,’ are also a key part of the celebration, offering local crafts, festive foods, and mulled wine. On Christmas Eve, families gather for a festive meal, often featuring goose or potato salad with sausages, and stollen, a traditional fruit bread that includes raisins and might be with or without marzipan. What makes Christmas in Germany unique is the combination of religious observance and the deep sense of cosiness, known as ‘Gemütlichkeit,’ that fills homes and communities during the season.
IWCR: Coming back to the role of the organisation that you are leading, could you please let us know its main mission? How we as EU citizens can feel the results of your work?
The BEREC Office is a European Union Agency supporting the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) in the fulfilment of its mission to ensure the consistent implementation of the European regulatory framework for electronic communications. BEREC aims to foster a fair, transparent, and competitive environment in digital markets, ensuring that citizens and businesses across Europe benefit from high-quality connectivity. For example, when travelling abroad we can all enjoy affordable roaming and intra-EU calls, thanks to BEREC’s efforts. BEREC supported the European Commission in introducing “Roam Like At Home” and “Intra-EU calls and SMS”, Making them more accessible for consumers. With “Roam Like at Home”, you can use your phone in the EEA countries just like at home, using your regular minutes, SMS and data at no extra cost. “Intra-EU calls” allow you to make calls from home to EEA countries without high additional charges. So, whether you are travelling or
staying at home, it has never been cheaper to stay connected with your family, friends or business colleagues in Europe.
By focusing on priorities such as promoting full connectivity, empowering end-users, and supporting sustainable and open digital markets, BEREC aligns closely with the European Union’s broader digital transformation goals. This ensures that Europe’s telecommunication landscape is prepared to address both regional and global advancements effectively.
IWCR: So BEREC is in charge of bringing better and more harmonised digital connectivity but also supporting bridging the digital divide?
BEREC plays a crucial role in advancing digital connectivity across Europe by ensuring that the rules governing telecommunications are applied consistently and fairly. A key focus is promoting the rollout of very high capacity networks, such as 5G, which are essential for economic growth and innovation. To address the digital divide, BEREC supports policies that enhance connectivity in underserved and rural areas, ensuring no community is left behind. By prioritizing transparency, end-user empowerment, and sustainability, BEREC contributes to making digital services accessible and inclusive for everyone. Currently, for example, BEREC is working on a draft report on the development of private and public 5G networks across Europe, which will set out an overview of 5G private mobile network usage in European countries.
If we look locally, Latvia is a small country, however, it is progressing very well in the area of 5G. For example, as part of the European Defence Fund initiative 5G Communications for Peacekeeping and Defence (5G COMPAD), on 7 November 2024, an international demonstration took place in Latvia, showcasing cutting-edge military applications of 5G technology across air, sea, and land scenarios. The event highlighted innovative deployment strategies such as network coverage simulations, 5G-enabled drone testing, satellite communication integration, and maritime 5G applications.
For more information about BEREC and the BEREC Office, please visit our website, and follow us on X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
