Philosophers’ Café with ALICE & Friends: Autumn 2026

 The complete briefing will be available soon. Thank you!

VOCAL ART Chamber Choir™ – Community bonding

 By this note I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to “Sfanta Treime” for graciously hosting the autumnal new wine celebration, where the members of VOCAL ART Chamber Choir™ reserved a table and participated as regular guests! Being surrounded by people who care, contribute and show up remind us that the community bonding is the foundation of everything we hope to build. Also, the delicious culinary delights served (featuring the amazing Romanian cuisine), the conversations of the evening, the laugher and the profound sense of belonging were truly uplifting!

     Thank you, Father Nicolae Lăpuşte & family, for creating a space where everyone felt welcome and valued! Thank you to all the volunteers who stepped forward and helped transforming an idea into a great experience! From the warm welcome offered to each arriving guest of the evening, to the careful coordination of the flow (of all the subsequent activities), every effort contributed to the success of a beautiful evening of joy and togetherness.

     Additionally, at this event, we all were very pleased to have with us the Romanian diplomats from the Consulate General of Romania in Vancouver (Consul General – Hon. Gabriel Rotaru, together with his lovely wife, Deputy Consul General – Hon. Ştefana Rotaru) who always support & encourage the socio-cultural activities delivered by the Romanian institutions, associations, organizations & societies located throughout the Greater Vancouver Metropolitan area and beyond!

     Last, but certainly not least, I am glad to acknowledge and salute the attendance at this function of Rompost TV, who never fails to be present at all the activities organized across our province and not only!

     I left the event carried by a soul-settling peace, while feeling genuinely inspired and grateful to be part of such a nice Romanian community!

Sincerely,

Alice

● For your convenience, here is the related social media acknowledgement...enjoy the reading! 

Alice’s Book Club – AUTUMN session of 2026

     As the ongoing autumn is graciously unfolding in our part of the world, on Thursday (October 15, 2026) I hosted the fourth edition of our seasonal book club series, event which marks the last session of this kind for the current year! The book we all choose to discuss (as a group), was profoundly educational, informative and more than anything else truly eye opening.

     Unlike the dates before, this time, I won’t go into the details examined, as a curtesy and a sign of appreciation for the friends who made the effort (to take the actual time, from their busy lives) to come and join the conversation.

     In the future, for this type of gathering, those who would like to learn more about our in-depth book related talks are more than welcome to contact me directly if they wish to join us.

     Also, since this was the last book club session of the year, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those loyal, dear friends who each time (not just occasionally) make themselves available to honor my invitations, and who genuinely and continuously are supporting the activities of ALICE & Friends Circle™.

Until our paths will meet again on the same wavelength, from me, only the best!

Alice

“In an age defined by pervasive digital technologies, artificial intelligence and a ceaseless flow of information, the act of reading books might appear, to some, an act of an early era. Yet, in 2026, reading books remains an indispensable tool for cognitive, emotional and social enrichment, providing benefits that extend far beyond the superficial consumption of information.”

About the rehearsals of VOCAL ART Chamber Choir™

● Here is the related social media coverage.

October 2026 – Message for THANKSGIVING Day

Today (Monday – October 12, 2026), I’m extending my warmest greetings to everyone who is celebrating the Canadian THANKSGIVING DAY.

As we all gather with our families, friends and loved ones, may this special occasion of the year remind us about the significance of kindness, gratitude and togetherness. Let us appreciate the many amazing blessings we share, the communities that bring us together and the meaningful connections that enrich our lives.

May this Thanksgiving Day bring along warmth, happiness and peace to you and yours!

Each day holds reasons to be thankful for, even if it's just a small moment of peace!

Also, to all my dear friends (old & new, closer or more distant), collaborators (occasional or recurrent) and at large sympathizers of ALICE & Friends Circle™ many thanks for your ongoing loyalty throughout the almost 9 (nine) years of existence of our literary and socio-cultural community, and please do know that your support and presence are truly appreciated!

● My previous greetings on the same theme: THANKSGIVING Day – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018

September 22, 2026: Happy AUTUMN, dear friends!

Dear friends, on 22^nd September 2026 is the autumnal equinox, marking the first day of a new autumn in Northern Hemisphere. Each year, this season reminds us of the beauty of change, because each autumn invites us to release what no longer serves us, to feel our lungs with clarity and renewal. Just like the equinox balances day and night, may we each find our own equilibrium during this time…between work and rest, between ambition and reflection, between giving and receiving.

May the new season bring us peace, inspiration and a renewed sense of balance!

May we let each leaf that falls whisper a reminder that life, like seasons, is a delicate dance of growth, transformation and harmonious balance!  

● Short scientific briefing on AUTUMNAL EQUINOX:

The Autumnal Equinox is an astronomical event, nearly noticed by everyone, marking the arrival of fall in Northern Hemisphere. During the equinox, the night & day have almost the same length (12 hours) throughout the world. The word "equinox" derives from Latin, meaning “equal night". The equinox happens when the equator passes the center of the sun. This is when the North & South Poles of the Earth are not tilted towards or away from the sun, as at other times, but are aligned so as to give, theoretically, the same amount of daylight in both of the Earth's hemispheres.

● My previous greetings on the same theme: AUTUMNAL EQUINOX – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018

September 21, 2026: INTERNATIONAL PEACE Day

September 21^st 2026 reminds us that today the entire world unites to celebrate International Peace Day, and the theme for this year is “Invest in Peace - For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day”, reemphasizing that peace is not only the absence of conflict, but also a deliberate investment in relationships, trust and an honest dedication to comprehension. Across many continents and countless communities, ordinary people and large committed peacebuilders demonstrate that a true lasting peace grows from our daily choices and collective persistence, rather than single, monumental acts.

Strictly speaking from a practical perspective, it is important to understand that peace is also the compassion we show to someone who has a different background than ours, it is the kindness we have for our planet and for ourselves, it is a polite and respectful conversation, it is a helping hand, it is the choice of listening instead of arguing, and so on. Just imagine the massive impact of a million tiny acts of peace!

Today and every day, may we each have the wisdom to chose compassion to heal, to replace noise with meaningful dialogue and to create an environment where everyone is treated respectfully, in a peaceful manner!

Peace is not something you wish for; it is something you make, it is something you are, it is something you do and it is something you offer!

● Historical background info:

“The International Day of Peace, also officially known as World Peace Day, is a United Nations-sanctioned holiday observed annually on 21 September. It is dedicated to world peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access. The day was first celebrated in 1981 and is kept by many nations, political groups, military groups and people.” (Source: Encyclopedia)

● My previous acknowledgements on the same theme: PEACE Day – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

Alice’s Book Club – SUMMER session of 2026

With much joy I’m sharing here that on Thursday (September 17’26) I was glad to prepare the summer edition of my Book Club series, this time discussing a well-known movie, mostly from a literary perspective. Also, since year 2026 was officially declared in Romania as being “Constantin Brâncuși Year” (Ro…2026: “Anul Constantin Brâncuși”), I’ve expanded the debate of the evening, by including several movies, featuring Brâncuși’s life, opera and legacy.

While at this point, I would like to emphasize that 2026 marks the 150^th anniversary of the birth of this great Romanian sculptor (Constantin Brâncuși) who brought the name of his native country to the heights of international recognition.
For your reference, I’m refreshing that Constantin Brâncuși (1876 – 1957) was a Romanian sculptor, painter and photographer who made his career in France; he was considered one of the most influential sculptors of the 20^th century and a pioneer of modernism…he is called by many scholars and not only, “the patriarch of modern sculpture”.

Many Romanians from abroad (including myself and the members of our literary & socio-cultural community) are saluting this cultural initiative generated by Romania (2026 – “Constantin Brâncuși Year”) and included it into some of our cultural activities of our Circle. 

I’m truly grateful to say that our Circle takes great pride in celebrating inspiring and authentic cultural figures from our old homeland.

As a result, I would like to emphasise that this is the 3^rd occasion at our Circle (in 2026) when we are featuring Constantin Brâncuși,
and here are the other 2 previous instances:
1) January 2026: Romania’s Culture Day & 2) Feb.19’26: “Brâncuși National Day” during "2026 - Brâncuși Year”.

Brâncuși’s life inspired cinema as well. Director Mick Davis made the biographical film, called “The Sculptor”, while British director, Peter Greenway created “Walking to Paris” (focusing on Brâncuși’s daring journey in 1903).

For your convenience, I’m including here several reference materials about Constantin Brâncuși:
– short movie: “Constantin Brâncuși…Master of the Modern Sculpture”
– short movie: “On the Wings of Brâncuși” (trailer)
– short movie: “Concert pentru Domnișoara Pogány, clarinet și Brâncuși |Documentary Film”

Today, Brâncuși’s works sell around the world for tens of millions of dollars, but beyond the monetary value, Brâncuși left behind something much deeper: the conviction that art should not copy the world, but rather reveals its essence….from the simplicity of the wood, the rounded form of an ovoid and the verticality of a column, the famous Romanian sculptor Constantin Brâncuși evoked the infinite like nobody else!

So, wrapping up my briefing here, I truly believe that cinema remains a special place where human emotions play an important role, because ‘the heart of a film’ beats in the fragile moment when a story finds its viewer.

Once again, my honest appreciation to all my friends who were able to join this event, while I’m wishing them all a beautiful rest of the season!

Until we meet again, my warmest regards to all!

Alice

“Movies screens flicker with different fragments of longing (a face half-lit, a whispered promise, a city dissolving into rain, etc.) and audiences gather to witness the quiet alchemy that turns imagination into shared experience.”