A Literary Afternoon

Saturday afternoon (June 9, 2018), I was very pleased to meet with a small group of friends at a public library to spend some time discussing Romanian literature (personal compositions as well as masterpieces written by famous Romanian authors). 

I was truly happy to be able to greet them all with “Poema Românã“ by George Enescu (George Enescu, 1881-1955, who was a Romanian composer, violinist, pianist, conductor and teacher, regarded as Romania's most important musician and one of the world's greatest composers of the 20th century).
In addition, the aromatherapy with natural French lavender oil that I brought had a nice relaxing effect on all of us.

After our usual introductions around the circle, which this time took longer than usual and helped our friends open their hearts even more toward each other, we began our program, as per below: 
- Teo brought again few personal compositions (“Florile” & an acrostic, dedicated to our dear friend Ligia, who is also a virtuoso musician & a choir conductor).
- Asiza recited 2 poems composed by her departed mother (“Odoras“ and “Doar noi doi“)
- Ligia recited few poems, (“De-a v-ati ascunselea”, “Din tara de unde venim”), by Ana Blandiana, who is a Romanian poet, essayist, and political figure, considered also one of the leading contemporary authors

- Ioana narrated a chapter from “Maitreyi“ – a semiautobiographical novel of great intellectual and emotional power, written by Mircea Eliade, who was a world renowned scholar 
- Monica brought a poem filled with timeless wisdom, written by Emil Cioran, who was a famous Romanian philosopher and writer

At the end of our cultural program, Teo offered us all a live violin performance, gratefully re-emphasizing the heart touching love for his wife and lifelong partner (also part of the audience), who is such an adorable person. 
We all had a great time together and again we wrapped up the afternoon with light refreshments, snacks we each brought, and prolonged conversations, because food always tastes better when you eat it together with likeminded people. 

In closing, I want to share that I sincerely appreciate the participation of all these dear friends, who at the end of a long, busy week (mine not being an exception either) took the time from their relaxation program to join me for few hours to discuss literature, to share life stories, and to enjoy the presence of each other, which I find simply beautiful. Until next time, my best greetings to all and each of you!
Alice 

Don’t count the days, make the days count!

This event has been delivered in Romanian Language, featuring Romanian culture. 

Pondering about LIFE – random thoughts

These days I’m deeply enjoying a time of profound peace, but a number of circumstances made me ponder about the meaning of life in itself.

As we each walk the path of life, there is no doubt that at a certain point in time, we’ve experienced joy or sorrow, victory or defeat, but above all what we have learned from those experiences (from those lessons) is what really matters.

We know that each person is different, and what it is important for one might not be important at all for another. Many of us observed that at times, some people spend their entire life looking for something in particular, which they believe it is important for them, but (truly) never finding it, while there are other people who know exactly what it is important for them, where to find that, how to get it, how to keep it, and above all, how to continue to retain what remains important for them, no matter wherever they might spend the rest of their life, and that is beautiful and inspiring.

Psychologically, also it has been noticed that sometimes people have the tendency to wonder what other people think about them, because they look for social acceptance in order to accept themselves, but regardless of circumstances, one must never forget who s/he is, where s/he is coming from, and what it is of personal importance in life, and only then one could clearly and selflessly embrace the world in a non-judgmental manner, while having gratitude (gratitude, which is the greatest virtue of all, as Cicero said many hundreds of years ago).

Generally speaking, life is not complicated, but we have the tendency to make it difficult, because we are rushing and judging too much, forgetting to slow down while taking one step at the time, being fully aware of what is really going on – inwardly and/or outwardly. Some scholars believe that man’s accomplishments in life are the cumulative effect of his attention to details, and the quieter we become the more we can hear. They say that if we pay attention to details, the big picture will take care of itself. Many times we don’t have to chase the extraordinary, because that very special thing that we are looking for it is right on front of us, but usually we are too busy to notice it. I remember that once upon a time, Ernest Hemingway said that every man’s life ends the same way – it is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one from another. 

Anyhow, in closing, I strongly believe that at least once in a while, in this super busy world, it is truly worth it to take few moments from the daily routine to pursue something positive that you haven’t addressed yet and that is near and dear to your heart, or to admire a beautiful sunset or sunrise, or just to simply enjoy the fragrance of a beautiful flower, because after all life has been given to each us to be enjoyed as well!

Life is a journey, not a race, and it is up to each of us to see the beauty of every single day!

An evening of poetry

Together with a group of friends I gathered today (Friday - May 4, 2018) at a public library for a pleasant literary evening, focusing on poetry. 

We began the program with an introductory conversation, followed by a brief moment of recollection while we were listening “Balada“, by Ciprian Porumbescu.
I also brought my aromatherapy diffuser with lavender oil, which filled the room with a very refreshing spring fragrance.  

This evening we were featuring Mihai Eminescu (1850-1889), who is considered the most famous & influential Romanian poet, as well as the last major representative of the European Romanticism, and a significant promoter of the enlightened nationalism.   

Aside of that, our reciters brought few personal compositions, which were absolutely beautiful and full of sensibility. For instance, Teo brought 2 poems composed by himself (called “Eminescu” and “Basarabia”) and Asiza brought a poem composed by her mother (called “Matanie”). 
In addition, Maria recited “Prutul” and Dana recited a number of well-known Romanian poems, which brought back to each of us many dear memories. 
Last, but not least, our friend, Ligia recited a poem “The Albatross”, by Charles Baudelaire, and Teo sang a heartfelt patriotic song, greeting the current spring time. 

We wrapped up the evening with light refreshments, as well as good camaraderie amongst beautiful friends, with beautiful hearts, whose common denominator is the love for poetry.

Once again, my most sincere appreciation to all who joined me this evening, and until our paths will meet again, I wish you each have a wonderful rest of the spring!
Alice

“Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.” (Plutarch)

This event has been delivered in Romanian Language, mostly featuring Romanian culture.