Alice’s Book Club – SPRING session of 2026

As spring is nicely progressing around here, on Thursday (April 16, 2026) I was happy to organize my second book club of the current year (the spring session of 2026). On this occasion, for the first time, in this format, we discussed an old Romanian film – classic style, which allowed us, in addition to analyzing the archetypes of the main characters, through extrapolation, to compare the reality of the chosen movie with the reality of our days. In many ways, the conclusions we reached as a group were really interesting and educational.

While at this point, as I often do, I would like to convey along few thoughts about cinema, in general. Cinematography, in my perception, is the alchemy of light and shadow, transforming fleeting moments into enduring human truths; through its lens, we confront a vast spectrum of emotions, society rules and individual imagination, discovering perspectives beyond our own. Every frame is both a question and an answer, inviting reflection, empathy and wonder. In its silent eloquence, cinema captures the beauty of existence and the complexity of the human condition, reminding us that storytelling, when rendered with intention and craft, it is one of the most profound conduits of shared understanding.

As I’m concluding here my little briefing, once again, I’m sharing my delight to continue to stay in touch with likeminded fellows, passionate about arts (cinematography being one of them too) and culture, as well as reading and dialogue. Until next time, dear members of my Book Club, warm regards to all!

Alice

“The good thing about cinema is that you can eventually see everything, but you must first do your homework to know what to look for.” (Akira Kurosawa)

April 2026: Happy EASTER!

EASTER (Pascha) – a special time that embodies renewal and reflection, marking a moment where history and faith converge. This reminds us that persistence through adversity can yield transformation, inviting both personal growth and communal hope. In its simplicity, Easter re-affirms the enduring power of life, forgiveness and the human capacity to embrace new beginnings.

Every  year, Easter is teaching us that life never ends & love never dies!

Also, at this time, early greetings to all my Romanian & Greek friends who will celebrate this holiday next week. 

💮 HAPPY EASTER! 💮 PAŞTE FERICIT! 💮 FROHE OSTERN! 💮 ΚΑΛΌ ΠΆΣΧΑ! 💮 JOYEUSES PÂQUES! 💮 BUONA PASQUA! 💮

În această perioadă a Paștelui, contemplarea simbolurilor tradiționale și a re-înnoirii spirituale ne invită la o reflecție mult mai adâncă asupra sensului renașterii și al speranței. Noi cu toții deja știm că această ocazie specială a anului nu este doar o sărbătoare ce ține de spiritualitate, ci și un moment de reconectare cu valorile fundamentale ale existenței: compasiunea, solidaritatea și reînnoirea personală. Prin actul sincer de introspecție și prin implicarea activă în comunitate, putem înțelege mult mai bine atât profunzimea credinței, cât și responsabilitatea noastră de a contribui la armonia colectivă. Această perioadă ne amintește că fiecare gest de bunătate și fiecare clipă de reflecție contribuie la un ciclu continuu de regenerare și speranță.

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

March 20, 2026: SPRING Equinox & World Happiness Day

The Spring Equinox marks a moment of poised balance and renewal, urging us to awaken potential and embrace new beginnings with clarity and purpose.

As the day and night stand equal, the Equinox exemplifies nature’s quiet equilibrium, and a great reminder that growth and transformation occur within cycles of balance. In this interval, we are invited to shed the inertia accumulated over the winter, and begin nurturing our projects and dreams like seeds awaiting the sun.

May we each be able to allow this season to inspire deliberate action, such as: attending to inner life with care, cultivating patience and permitting new opportunities to unfold naturally. Just as the earth awakens in gradual, measured rhythms, our own progress thrives when aligned with natural timing. The Equinox teaches us that transformation is neither sudden nor forced, but rather it is a steady development, guided by attention, intention and sincerity extended to the changing light.

“Spring awakens the soul, like a song that stirs the heart, reminding us that we are alive.”

● Short scientific background on SPRING EQUINOX:

“Spring Equinox” is an astronomical event, nearly noticed by everyone, when the day and night are almost of an equal length, marking the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere; this is commonly regarded as the instant of time when the plane (extended indefinitely in all directions) of Earth's equator passes through the center of the Sun. This is one of the four seasonal turning points, when the strength of the old goes into the new as the power of life blossoms with grace while Nature springs again to LIFE.

On March 20, 2026, the entire world is also observing the International Day of Happiness,
 and this year’s theme is: Keep Calm, Stay Wise, Be Kind.

On this International Happiness Day, it is vital to recognize that happiness is not merely an ephemeral emotion, but rather a measurable condition of well-being that permeates individual and societal functioning. Empirical studies in psychology and neuroscience consistently demonstrate that positivity correlates with enhanced cognitive performance, resilience and social cohesion. Pursuing happiness, therefore, is not an indulgence ... it is a rational investment in the quality of our lives and the communities we inhabit. As we cultivate gratitude, meaningful connections and purposeful engagement, we generate conditions that sustain durable contentment. Let this day serve as a reminder that happiness thrives where awareness and intention intersect: when we actively choose practices that strengthen empathy, foster cooperation and promote mental and physical health. By treating the pursuit of happiness as both an ethical and pragmatic endeavor, we affirm that personal fulfillment and societal well-being are inextricably linked.

"True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)

● My previous posts on the same themes: 
SPRING Equinox & World Happiness Day – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019