A flurry of international flavors, heritage-rich handicrafts and vibrant performances filled the halls of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on Dec. 9 for a vivid celebration of Washington’s diplomatic community. 

Seventy foreign embassies and cultural organizations in DC participated in the 12th edition of Winternational, hosted by the World Trade Center Washington to showcase cultural traditions and tourism from around the globe.

Nearly 8,000 guests experienced a dynamic array of international customs and experiences, from photo opportunities with a Qatari gyrfalcon, to coffee samples from Burundi and Vietnam, and handmade goods including Honduran jewelry and embroidered textiles from Georgia and Malaysia. 

“There are a lot of programs where people are wanting to engage with the diplomatic community more…but for us here, I think what is unique is they are all under one roof,” said Allyson Browne McKithen, World Trade Center executive director and founder of the event. “Where else can you go that you can travel to 70 countries and not buy an airline ticket?”

Last week’s event opened with a private reception for foreign diplomats in the upper oculus of the trade center overlooking the exhibition floor.

McKithen’s inaugural remarks were accompanied by DC Secretary of State Kimberly A. Bassett reading Mayor Muriel Bowser’s proclamation of “Winternational Day” in the District, plus remarks from Ambassador Abdulkhaliq Bin Rafaa, representing the League of Arab States; John P. Drew, president and CEO of Trade Center Management Associates (A Drew Company); and Felis Andrade, director of external communications and community relations for Giant Food, a major sponsor of the event.

Downstairs, the embassies were split among three exhibition spaces arranged regionally, with a stage in the main atrium that headlined 12 international dance groups from Azerbaijan, Cuba, Gabon, Bolivia and more. 

The Arab League pavilion made an impression in the nearby atrium hall with 16 nations representing North Africa and the Middle East, featuring their own stage performances, costuming, cuisines and airline raffles.

In discussing the importance of the Arab League’s presence at this event and cultural exchange in Washington, Ambassador Bin Rafaa told The Washington Diplomat, “There is a history of good relations between the United States and Arab countries…I think Arabs and Americans have a lot in common, especially with the openness and acceptance of others, which is great.”

He added: “We as the Arab League are showcasing what we have in common as Arabs, and we want to present ourselves as a group, to bring all Arabs together. That’s why we’re having this pavilion.”

Meanwhile in the main atrium, the Ukraine House booth glimmered with its 2025 Christmas ornament, an embroidered mosaic inspired by the one currently on view at the Ukraine House in Kalorama, plus an assortment of handpainted beads, vases and fabric doll crafts for purchase to support their cultural and humanitarian projects. 

“We’re here to raise awareness about what’s happening in Ukraine now and every day we’re standing for our culture, for our history, past, present and future,” said Oleksandra Sienik, project manager for culture, heritage and children at Ukraine House.

This year’s showcase featured 19 new embassy participants from last year, which marked Winternational’s first return after the pandemic. The launch of awards for the best embassy exhibit also added a new level of excitement and spirited competition this year. 

Six judges selected Algeria, Ethiopia and Malaysia—each representing one of the three exhibition spaces—for their exceptional exhibits and engaging guest experiences. 

Dina Izaidin, wife of newly-appointed Malaysian Ambassador Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, lingered around her booth which displayed handpainted tiffins, traditional songket and batik bags, and colorful shawls designed by women living in rural villages in Malaysia, plus a wide variety of snacks and teas. 

“Everything here is handmade by Malaysians…and since next year is ‘Visit Malaysia’ year, 2026, it’s a good time to promote Malaysia, our crafts and also our food,” she said.

Proceeds from the sales of the Malaysian goods at the event will go to a nonprofit supporting children with special needs and women’s shelters for domestic violence survivors, according to Izaidin. 

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia was a fan favorite, taking home the People’s Choice Award for the best overall exhibit chosen by the community. Its exhibit—which demonstrated “creativity, vision and enthusiasm,” said McKithen—highlighted Saudi hospitality, including an Arabic coffee ceremony and traditional dress for guests to try on. 

Working with embassies on a year-round basis, McKithen says Winternational at its core is a public diplomacy event, engaging diplomatic missions with one another and with the community and diaspora, without them having to incur the cost of promotion on their own.

“[Today’s showcase] has once again transformed this space into a vibrant journey around the world,” said McKithen. “Every embassy has contributed to a celebration of living friendship.” 

See a full list of embassy participants from the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.