Surely anything that helps ease the pain of divorce – both 
emotionally and financially – has to be good idea. Or is it?
The world’s first divorce fair is being held in Vienna this month as the divorce rate in Austria hit an all time high of 50% in 2006, with 66% of marriages in Vienna ending in divorce.
Forever optimistic, the two day fair is being plugged under the motto "new beginning", and takes place on 27 and 28 October, with Saturday reserved for men, and Sunday for women, so couples can avoid awkward encounters and retain a degree of anonymity.
It is focused entirely on practical issues, and exhibitors include not only lawyers and mediators, but also estate agents, life-crisis experts, private detective firms and DNA laboratories offering paternity tests. One company will offer therapeutic package holidays for newly divorced people.
There will also be a series of lectures on subjects like how divorce affects children and coping as a single parent.
Bizarrely, and tragically, the organiser used to hold wedding fairs, but has identified a gap in the market for those struggling with divorce and he hopes to hold these fairs twice a year.
Yes, I can see the benefits of helping sort out the practicalities when divorce is unavoidable. But it also seems too well planned an event, helping to make divorce more final when perhaps there is still hope for a reconciliation. Why not plug those therapeutic holidays as second honeymoons instead?
I imagine it would be a very sad experience to visit one of these fairs, having to face up to the inevitable. Being an eternal romantic, I hope it might make some couples think twice and give their marriage another chance, especially if they have children.
Unfortunately, this fair has arrived too late to help Macca and Heather sort out their multi-million pound divorce settlement (£50 million, how greedy can you get?), or French President Nikolas Sarkozy and his very independent wife Cecilia. (don’t you think their body language in the pic demonstrates their emotional distance?)
For those of you with time to spare, why not read this previous post I wrote on whether the cost of divorce is to blame for fewer marriages. A few souls were laid bare in the 56 comments.
A divorce fair! Ha that is amusing.
In some twisted way I think marriage means more than it used to. Previously marriages were arranged and you could never leave due to the social pressure.
Now, when you see a long marriage, you know its not a matter of circumstances but love and commitment. That means a lot.
I suppose it had to come. Once a divorce has become inevitable, I can see the sense of having all the advice in one place.
As long as one remembers a Divorce Fair
is not the same as a fair divorce.
I guess with any break-up of a partnership, or parting of ways, there is never going to be a perfect formula.
Women may have much more independence today, and many more opportunities to hitch up again, but in the back of our mind I think we are all looking for someone to live happily ever after with until the next ship passes by – or a new/younger model is ‘unveiled’ – lol!
I’m certainly in two minds about this but I have to assume that it would be good for people who are already separated and need as much information as possible on the topic. 66% is a rather incredible figure isn’t it?
In terms of dealing with the practicalities, I think the fair is a great idea. In term of dealing with the pain, however, you just damn well have to sort it out yourself. I know that from experience (twice) and that pesky little bugger of paing can pop up at the most unexpected times. You can let it go but, like scar tissue,it sometimes wants to remind you.
I wonder why the divorce rate is so high in Vienna? Any ideas?
“Being an eternal romantic, I hope it might make some couples think twice and give their marriage another chance, especially if they have children.” – with you there Ellee.
I find divorce such a dreadful thought but as you say, in some cases necessary. I too wonder if the process is not conducive to healing or sorting out problems. Whilst I would like to think this fair positive it does seem to me to be more likely to be a gaggle of vultures waiting to pick the bones of a dying relationship that might have been revived.
Will there be a pastor there?
A divorce fair? Talk about a sign of the times.
I read the previous thread Ellee ..wow my comment was long .There is an article in the New Statesman today showing that women do tend to end up pretty poor after divorce whereas a mans income eventually on average recovers.
I `m not quite convinced. If I got divorecd I would in effect hand over my work to date and in the future as well as my son. There is seems a basic and , to be fair unavoidable unfairness about this.
As a man you are left with nothing except bills .
I find a “divorce fair” to be a very strange thing. I didn’t need a divorce fair…both my divorces were fair…fortunately neither were vindictive, spiteful affairs…but were simply handled and over and done with without any hassles. I think lots of people change their personalities when it comes to parting ways…instead they should do so, if parting becomes necessary and unavoidable, in a dignified, matured manner.
the divorce rate in Australia is about the same.
I am not too sure what the point of marriage is anyway. religion? ok then do it.. otherwise just make a real commitment. My father said marriage is a business, both partners must want the same thing or it will not work.
He is right.
If its anything like the annual Bird Fair held at Rutland Water, it could be fun! I guess it could be quite reassuring to others around you in the same predicament. But wouldn’t it be runcible to have the men and women together! It would be like a Singles Fair!
This is all just symptoms of the same underlying problems. People don’t feel a need to stay married, people don’t have financial incentives to stay married, people don’t have financial disincentives to get divorced.
All three of those need to be sorted out very quickly and decisively.
http://lettersfromatory.wordpress.com
I hope they’re hosting a singles party in the evening
Letter from a Tory said above “All three of those need to be sorted out very quickly and decisively” and I wonder what ‘sorted out’ means? If it’s pressure from the government to stay in an intimate arrangement you don’t want to be in then NO, it shouldn’t be ‘sorted out’. And if it’s social bullying without financial bullying from the State then people are just going to say to hell with you and do what’s best for themselves in their own personal affairs.
The government meddles too much already.
Oh and by the way, I wouldn’t vote Tory if you paid me, and my politics are conservative!
Hi Elle,
I think marriage is meant to be forever not just for xmas, but in the real world some relationships just don’t work out.
I’ve always wanted to run a Divorcee’s Fair (even if I’m not divorced, or married for that matter) maybe I should become administrator of the Cogwheel Trust.
The truth is that if a marriage breaks down, then all one can do is once again jump in and join the merry go round, or play musical chairs – and hope to find a new partner.
Love is such a strange thing, in the inmortal words of Crossby, Stills, Nash & Young: “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you are with”
PS – Any divorced lady friends of yours, looking for someone to go out for a meal with, or companion for other social events can call me on: 01223 wxyzab
WW, You suggest a singles night at a divorce fair, it might be a bit too soon for some, straight from the fat into the frying pan. Maybe it’s ok as long they have their eyes wide open and don’t fall in love again. But then again, they could meet Mr or Ms Right.
Q9, Good luck with your search, and I hope someone takes you up on your irristible offer.
Hey Elle,
Sorry no, I dont know Bob Satchwell
Dear Madame,
i am the organizer of the divorce fair in vienna/Austria.
The divorce rate in vienna is really high and also in other cities and countrys!
(germany,switzerland, etc.
I don´t know why? I think it is to easy for young people to marry! The people don´t know or think about the responsibility of a marriage.
sorry for my bad english.
warm regards
Anton Barz
vienna austria
[…] Black Dating Club wrote an interesting post today on Comment on Can a divorce fair ease the pain of parting? by…Here’s a quick excerptSorry no, I dont know Bob Satchwell […]
[…] Singlenlovingit’s Weblog wrote an interesting post today on Comment on Can a divorce fair ease the pain of parting? by Meet…Here’s a quick excerpt[…] Black Dating Club wrote an interesting post today on Comment on Can a divorce fair ease the pain of parting? […]
Barz, I’m so delighted you found my post, please do keep us informed about how it goes. I understood that people were marrying older these days, particularly in the UK. And as some singles’ sites have linked up with this post, maybe some new romances will blossom as a result.
[…] Internet Infos wrote an interesting post today on Comment on Can a divorce fair ease the pain of parting? by MeetHere’s a quick excerpt[…] Black Dating Club wrote an interesting post today on Comment on Can a divorce fair ease the pain of parting? […]
Ellee – I think Barz raises a v.good point (and well done for commenting, I was pleased to read the opinion of the organiser) It IS too easy to get married and people have blogged saying they had in their heads that it’s ok to do this because if they don’t like it they can get divorced. IMHO that is the wrong attitude towards marriage.
And hey Ellee, check out Q9 for the single ladies on your site?
Seriously though there seems to be an emphasis on casual sex nowadays; sex without commitment. Whilst that’s all very well and good for willing partners it should be remembered that accidents happen and the loser is usually the child, or if she’s a caring mother, both the mother and child. Marriage is best, so guys.. don’t use women and complain later 😉
My divorce was not painful for me at all, except for the separation from my boys.They were upset …not because their dad left but because I left. This unfortunately was the way it had to be. And there is no way on this earth that a fair of any type would of made me think twice about giving it a second chance. I had given it enough chances, been for counselling etc. I left everything except my little things that the boys had bought me over the years. The boys have come through it, which may not of been the case if I had stayed. This happened in 1992…I still have two boys that love me very much, and visit all the time.
Anne, we simply cannot generalise something as personal as this, every experience is so different. Neither can you judge a person’s actions. I thank you for sharing this with us, and reminding us that it is possible to survive divorce in all kinds of circumstances, however hard it might seem.
[…] XHeadlines.com wrote an interesting post today on Comment on Can a divorce fair ease the pain of parting? by PhilipaHere’s a quick excerptEllee – I think Barz raises a v.good point (and well done for commenting, I was pleased to read the opinion of the organiser) It IS too easy to get […]
Ellee you’re quite right and I feel humble 🙁
[…] Features / DJs Producers wrote an interesting post today on Comment on Can a divorce fair ease the pain of parting? by MeetHere’s a quick excerpt[…] XHeadlines.com wrote an interesting post today on Comment on Can a divorce fair ease the pain of parting? […]