KARACHI, Dec 16: Large crowds of men, women and children thronged the All About Lifestyles Winter 2005 exhibition, which opened at the Expo Centre on Friday.

Entry to the families-only exhibition, organized by the Dawn Group of Newspapers, is free. The three-day event is organized twice a year – in June and December – since 2001.

Over 200 stalls have been set up in the four permanent halls of the Expo Centre. Besides, stalls of almost all kinds of consumer goods ranging from electronics items, cosmetics, food stuff, clothes to handicrafts, etc – have been set up in another hall by leading local brands and foreign concerns. All items there are offered at 15-30 per cent discount.

Game areas have been set up for children so that while parents shop, the children enjoy various games.

Over 300 sketches and oil paintings on the subject of “my city” prepared by schoolchildren are also on display. These paintings depict important buildings, people, etc.

Five friendly countries – Bangladesh, South Korea, Thailand, Italy and France – have also set up their stalls.

The Bangladeshi Deputy High Commissioner’s wife, Shelina Afroze, who was looking after her country’s stall at the exhibition, told Dawn that she had specially gone to Bangladesh to get various things like handicrafts, leather products, pearls, jewellery, bags, clothes, etc, for the exhibition.

The South Korean Women Residents’ Association Chairperson, Song Soon Ni, wearing her national dress called “Hambok”, said that her organization’s members had made various products, which were on display and for sale at their stall.

Tae Ryong Park, Consul at the Karachi office of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, also present at the stall, said that Korean people living in the city soon after the earthquake had generated over Rs390,000, which had been donated to the earthquake relief fund.

Vithit Powattanasuk, Consul at the Royal Thai Consulate General in Karachi, said that various Thai products such as handicrafts, pottery, artificial flowers, food stuff, canned fruits, etc were being sold at the exhibition.

He said that last year Pakistan had generously provided help when the tsunami had hit his country, and now the Thai people were assisting Pakistan in this tragedy.

Over 20 paintings, sketches, etc from the private collection of Jhon Yves Berthou, Consul General of France were also on display and for sale at his country’s stall. A few other goods from his country were also available at the stall.

Sweatshirts, caps, food stuff, etc were being offered for sale at the stall set up by the Consulate General of Italy.

A bird show was also organized where a large number of parrot species from various countries, and turtles and tortoises were on display. It drew a large crowd, particularly children, who were thrilled to see the birds and animals.

A feline cat show was also organized in the afternoon. A ‘German Shepherd Show’ will be held on Saturday afternoon and an ‘All Breed Championship Dog Show’ will be followed on Sunday afternoon.

Profit earned at the exhibition especially at stalls set up by foreign countries will be used for the relief and rehabilitation of earthquake victims.