Socializing: Picnic 2026 & Our Chamber Choir Launch

With much delight I’m sharing here that on Friday (July 24’26) I organized the annual summer picnic of my Circle, event which brought together a nice group of dear friends (Circle’s friends = Circle’s members) for an engaging evening of music, dance, shared memories, enjoyment and community spirit.

The highlight of this social event was the launching of VOCAL ART – The Chamber Choir of ALICE & Friends Circle™.

On this occasion, it was profoundly significant for each of us to have our chamber choir’s inaugural performance taking place at an event I organized for my Circle.

Bringing together emerging talents, amateur artists and music professionals, our choir aims to present inspirational choral music across the realm, to create a cultural experience that resonates with audiences of all ages, and to explore a wide repertoire, ranging from timeless classical masterpieces and Byzantine florilegia to contemporary choral works.

Our first mini-concert was featuring pieces by Romanian composers. In the foreseeable future, we will deliver both public concerts and bespoke performances to special events, while featuring the beauty and the extensive versatility of choral music. Beyond artistic performance, our choir’s launch signals a clear emphasis on musical art and cultural dialogue. 

Over the last 8 years of existence of our socio-cultural Circle, amongst other events of our Circle, the annual summer picnic of ALICE & Friends Circle™ has become a truly cherished tradition, each time providing excellent opportunities to strengthen community ties, while enjoying the fantastic scenic outdoors of our beautiful Vancouver – this time featuring, the one and the only, Granville Island.

Additionally, invited by Alice to offer a dancing demonstration as part of the event, our old friend Sandu Oprea presented several (dancing) styles for everybody to join. Needless to say how much fun the engaging experience it was for all guests! 

This complimentary event was open to the public, expressing interest proactively – enthusiasts were asked to RSVP via email before the specified due date.

The purpose of this gathering was to create an inclusivist ambiance, meant to strengthen culture, diversity and shared experiences.

Overall, this summer picnic of our Circle was a successful combination of cultural appreciation, leisure and fine gastronomy, leaving all participants with lasting memories of a nice sunny day well spent!

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

Alice

● For your convenience here is the Press Release  for the launching of  VOCAL ART – The Chamber Choir of ALICE & Friends Circle™

● For your convenience here is the Press Release  for this event – the annual summer picnic of ALICE & Friends Circle™

Socializing: CANADA Day 2026 – Morning Coffee Talks

 A briefing will be available soon on this website, meanwhile, here is the Press Release.

July 1, 2026: CANADA Day

Today (July 1, 2026), all Canadians across the realm take the time to celebrate the beauty and the diversity of this incredible country we all call it home now.

It is important to realize that Canada Day is not just a simple holiday; it is a great opportunity to honor the generations who build this country and to appreciate those who will carry it forward; it is the perfect time to deeply reflect on the shared history, to honor the land we live on and to embrace the values that make Canada so special: the kindness, the inclusivity and the resilience. Here is to the pride, to the promise and to the enduring wonders of Canada!

To all those who consider Canada their home, a very HAPPY CANADA DAY, dear fellow Canadians!

Here are few interesting facts about Canada:

1. Canada is the second-largest country in the world by land area.

2. Canada has the longest coastline in the world, with over 243,000 kilometers of shoreline.

3. Canada has more lakes than any other country, with over 2 million lakes covering about 8% of its land area.

4. The country's name comes from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word "kanata," meaning "village" or "settlement."

5. Canada is home to the world's oldest known rock, the Acasta Gneiss, which is approximately 4.01 billion years old.

6. The country has six time zones: Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern, Atlantic, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

7. Canada is home to the world's longest street, the Trans-Canada Highway, which spans over 7,800 kilometers.

8. The country has a vast array of wildlife, including bears, moose, wolves, and beavers.

9. Canada is the world's largest producer of maple syrup, accounting for over 70% of global production.

10. The country has a diverse population, with over 20% of Canadians being foreign-born.

11. Canada has two official languages: English and French.

12. The country is home to the world's largest freshwater island, Manitoulin Island, located in Lake Huron.

13. Canada has a strong reputation for its natural beauty, with many famous attractions like Niagara Falls, Banff National Park, and the Canadian Rockies.

14. The country has a thriving arts and culture scene, with numerous museums, galleries, and festivals.

15. Canada is known for its friendly and welcoming people, with a high standard of living and a strong social safety net.

(Source: Love Canada)

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

June 24, 2026 – Universal Day of the ROMANIAN BLOUSE

Each year, on June 24 (during the Ro “Sânziene” feast), Romanians in the country and around the world celebrate The Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse.

The traditional Romanian blouse is not just a piece of clothing; it is a form of collective memory, a textile manuscript in which the stories of village women, the values ​​of a community and the aesthetic vision passed down from generation to generation were written with needle and thread.

Long live our Romanian traditional blouse – a bearer of memory, culture and identity!

24 iunie 2026: : Ziua Universală a Iei Românești

Pe 24 iunie (de Sânziene), românii din ţară şi de pretutindeni sărbătoresc Ziua Universală a Iei Românești.

IA nu este doar o piesă vestimentară; este o formă de memorie colectivă, un manuscris textil în care s-au scris cu ac și ață poveștile femeilor din sate, valorile unei comunități și viziunea estetică transmisă din generație în generație. 

Să ne trăiasca IA – purtătoare de memorie, cultură și identitate!IA – purtătoare de memorie, cultură și identitate!

● My previous greetings on the same theme:
The Universal Day of the ROMANIAN BLOUSE – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

June 21, 2026: SUMMER solstice & Father’s Day

✰ Welcome, SUMMER of 2026! May it bring us joy and peaceful days!

June 21, 2026: The SUMMER SOLSTICE = the longest day of the year. Officially, a new summer has arrived! At this time the Sun is most powerful, but after the Solstice, days will start getting shorter & shorter…meanwhile, all is green & growing – a beautiful celestial reminder of the perpetual miracle of creation. May the radiant Sun Light fill & nourish your hearts!

June 21, 2026 is also the WORLD SUN DAY. This date is not a random one, but it was chosen because it represents the beginning of the astronomical summer.

● My previous greetings on the same theme: SUMMER Solstice – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

🌞

✰ 21 June 2026: FATHER’S DAY in Canada

Today (June 21’26) we honor and celebrate all fathers, grandfathers, godfathers and father figures who lead with strength, wisdom, love and dedication. Your countless lessons, unwavering support, and values you pass on to future generations are deeply valued.

Happy Father’s Day to all the incredible fathers out there! I’m wishing all a day filled with love, appreciation, and cherished moments together with the loved ones.

● My previous greetings on the same theme:  FATHER’s Day – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

PARTNERSHIP: June 2026 – Honoring the ROMANIAN BLOUSE Day

 Celebrating the rich heritage of the Traditional Romanian Blouse Day in Vancouver

Social-cultural event organized  by ALICE & Friends Circle™ in partnership with Consulate General of Romania in Vancouver 

     The artistic and the unique cultural vibrancy of the Romanian ancestral heritage was brought to life during the event organized by ALICE & Friends Circle™ in partnership with Consulate General of Romania in Vancouver.    

     The event, held in the iconic Granville Island (a truly representative landmark for Vancouver) brought together members of the local and international community, who have a shared passion for arts and culture.

     On this special occasion, we all were delighted to have in the audience several representatives of the Consular Corps of BC (based in Vancouver).

     After the opening remarks were delivered by Alice then Hon. Stefana Rotaru (Deputy Consul General of Romania) took the stage for her speech on the cultural significance of the Romanian traditional blouse and sharing with the audience that in June 2024, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim proclaimed June 24th as “The Romanian Blouse Day in Vancouver”; she also took a moment to thank the event sponsors [(RE/MAX City Realty (rep. Camelia Manea) & Insurance by Dana (rep. Dana Ciocan)] and to all participants for joining us today, reminding that despite life's business of the city, we all managed to gather in such a beautiful and sunny day!

     At this event we were also pleased to have with us Hon. Gabriel Rotaru (Consul General of Romania) who also delivered a brief speech about the cultural significance of the “Romanian Blouse Day”, about the Romanian heritage and about our very own event of the day.

     Then Dr. Iurascu (Associate Professor of Cultural Studies, at UBC) had a heartfelt talk about the Romanian Blouse (listed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity), who graciously transitioning from very well documented historic materials to personal perspectives.

     The program of the day continued with the traditional folkloric songs and dances offered by the Romanian Treasure Society and few poems recited by Teodor Trandafir, who is a well known elder from the Romanian community in Vancouver.

     Our time together continued with two mini-interactive workshops on Romanian traditional embroideries (offered by artisan Lucretia Cioata) and natural flowers braided wreaths (offered by florist Katy Horvath), where our guests had the opportunity to participate, to ask questions and to learn new skills. We wrapped up the day with extensive socialization and good cheer!

     It was a real joy to have with us Rompost TV (the only Romanian television station in Vancouver) and Ada Bucur (a professional photographer who captured many special moments).

     We all were truly delighted to see that our event drew attendees from across Metro Vancouver and most of them were wearing traditional outfits, making all of us realize the beautiful evolution of our Romanian traditional blouse (also known as “ie”) from its folkloric roots to our modern days.

     Personally, I’m truly delighted that initiatives such as this could have the potential to further strengthen Vancouver’s position as a real hub for multicultural artistic expression and for a vibrant cross-cultural dialogue; through such events, our community gains a deeper understanding of ancestral traditions, while promoting cultural exchange and mutual appreciation.

Sincerely,

Alice

This event has been delivered in Romanian & English Languages, featuring Romanian culture.

● For your convenience here is the Press Release for this event.
● A related social media POSTING published on the official face-book page by the General Consulate of Romania.

● Here is a relevant VIDEO REPORT produced by Rompost TV (a local TV station in Vancouver) featuring this event.