Romanian Socio-Cultural evening with ALICE & Friends Circle™
featuring our ancestral traditions, popular dances, legends & timeless
wisdom
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Example
of an old Romanian stitch pattern |
As
the wheel of time keeps rolling, on Saturday
– June 24, 2023 I gladly organized the Romanian
Blouse Day, in a wonderful natural setting in Vancouver, by the side of the
Pacific Ocean. 2023 is the third year in a row our Circle is celebrating this beautiful summer
fest, occasion which apparently turned into a global movement observed by many
Romanians, at home and throughout the entire world.
Also, I would like to emphasize that on December 1, 2022, (on Romania’s National Day), UNESCO has decided to
inscribe the Romanian traditional blouse (Ro: "Ia") on their list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The
morning of this very special summer day was a bit cold, but around noon time
the shining sun showered us with its warm rays, bringing upon so much joy, once again
proving that we are loved! I was truly happy that I could meet in person with
my friends for this very special event.
On the other hand, I would like to mention that we could speak a lot about
traditions, legends, customs, etc. and many people might wonder what relevance
could have these rather old fashion concepts in our modern, consumerist world,
where technology (more than anything
else) seems to play a central role (...isn’t
it?!...), and when so many people nowadays live in large cities, completely
disconnected from the forgotten traditions of their elders?!
Personally, I truly believe that our ancestral traditions carry lots of
invaluable insights and timeless wisdom, which have the potential to enrich our
lives and unite us in this rapidly changing world. Uncovering these old
practices and concepts, we uncover the values, beliefs, and emotions that have
transcended many generations. Our traditions could give us a real sense of
continuity and belonging, as well as a true connection with the insights of
those who came before us, while transmitting knowledge and providing a solid
foundation for social cohesion and emotional well-being…truly significant!
Now, for your reference, I would like to refresh that June 24 marks also the Midsummer Day – “Sânzienele” in
Romanian folk beliefs, as well as the feast of the Birth of Saint John the
Baptist (in the Romanian Christian
Orthodox culture). “Sânziene Day” (Ro: “Ziua de Sânziene”) is one of the most
beautiful, exuberant and intuitive holidays of the summer – an old popular
holiday that marks also the summer solstice. This holiday is associated with light, with fire, with sun, with the sacred and
the profane, with heaven and earth, in essence with life itself; this special
day actually celebrates the connection with nature and life, with the Romanian
intuitive spirit, and with all what it is miraculous, as well as timeless
wisdom of our ancestors and with our ancient roots.
While
at this page, I’m glad to share with my Romanian speaking friends 2 books (in pdf format) from the Romanian literature
(both written in Romanian language…I’m
sorry, at this moment, I don’t have them in English).
● Book #1: “Nopțile
de Sânziene” (de Mihai Sadoveanu) – here you can download the pdf ● Book #2: “Noaptea
de Sânziene” (de Mircea Eliade) – here you can download the pdf
Further speaking about my event, I would like to share that this year as well, at
the welcoming table my guests were greeted again with a large tray of hands
sanitizers (as the safety protocol continued
to be observed) and another large tray with several distinctive gifts I’ve prepared
again for them (I offered each lady a
manually crafted head flower garland and to each gentleman a “tricolor”
bracelet) and all of them really appreciated my gesture…I was truly happy
to bring them joy!
After my guests settled in and my brief remarks were delivered, I presented a
concise summary about the cultural significance of the Romanian blouse (which is our traditional “ie”) and its continuity
over centuries.
Next, my friends shared (to the best they
each knew) the traditional folkloric customs from their regions as well as few
well-known summer habits.
Then we all were ready to dance and the musical notes of the Romanian “Hora” enveloped us…please, follow this link
if you wish to get a ‘taste’ of it…enjoy! Dancing
together with my friends the Romanian “Hora” on that fresh green grass, brought
along a special sense of gratitude, exuberance, unity, energy and above all,
true joy….it was really beautiful!
Then we all enjoyed our delicious foods, had few glasses of good wine (legally permitted for consumption in that
public area) all ‘garnished’ with pleasant conversations and relaxing socialization….
As
usual, time was running fast, but having the chance to catch up with each other
and talk from heart to heart, really made a huge difference…truly pleasing!
Wrapping
up my brief summary, once again I’m extending my sincere appreciation to all my
friends who were by my side this special summer day!
Until we meet again, my very best to all!
Alice
“Tradition keeps the flame alive.”
This event has been delivered in Romanian Language, featuring Romanian culture.
● Previous
events I organized on the same theme: The ROMANIAN BLOUSE Day – 2022, 2021 ● My
greetings referring to the same matter: The ROMANIAN BLOUSE Day – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 ● Few
articles of general interest about the Romanian Blouse Day:
NOTE: Dear readers, please be advised that on this website each of the previous postings, pertaining to the recurrent annual themes, portray a different perspective of the subject/s presented (same theme/s, but a different outlook without duplication due to the cultural richness of the specific topic/s discussed).
