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

 The complete briefing will be available very soon. Thank you!

August 31, 2026: ROMANIAN LANGUAGE Day

Each year, August 31^st shines a special spotlight on Romanian culture, as it marks the Romanian Language Day – occasion which offers Romanians (in the country and around the world) a new opportunity to honor their linguistic root, while they illustrate the richness and the importance of their mother tongue.

At this point of my exposé, it is important to emphasize that Romania holds a unique cultural and historical identity, deeply intertwined with its language as this (the official language of the country) is a profound symbol of national unity and heritage.

For many Romanians, the maternal language represents also a strong connection with their ancestors, reflecting long centuries of tradition and resilience, preserving the collective memory, and acting at the same time as a vessel of cultural expression, literature and folklore. The significance of the Romanian language extends way beyond communication…it embodies the spirit and the continuity of the Romanian people throughout history and into the present days.

For many Romanians, the Romanian Language Day becomes more than just a holiday;

it is an annual testament of the resilience and vibrancy of one of Europe’s oldest & distinctive Romance tongues.

La  mulţi ani tuturor vorbitorilor de limbă română!

Omagiu Limbii Române – simbol al identității și demnității noastre, patrimoniu spiritual care ne unește din generație în generație.

Limba română este puntea dintre trecut și viitor, dintre oameni și comunități, dintre cei de aici și românii de pretutindeni.

Este comoara ce poartă în ea istorie, cultură și sperață.

”Începând din anul 2011, în ultima zi a lui Gustar, sărbătorim Ziua Limbii Române, una dintre cele 24 de limbi oficiale ale Uniunii Europene. Este o zi în care nu sărbătorim doar un mijloc de comunicare, ci identitatea, memoria și sufletul unui popor.

Cântată de poeți din vremuri diferite, limba română a străbătut istoria cu demnitate, purtând în ea dorul, doina, rugăciunea, cântecul, bucuriile și durerile noastre.

Nichita Stănescu o numea ’patria mea’, Emil Cioran spunea că ’nu locuiești într-o țară, ci într-o limbă’, iar Mihai Eminescu îi vedea bogăția ca pe o ’adevărată împărăție’. Grigore Vieru mergea și mai departe, spunând că întreaga natură a ostenit la zidirea ei.

Lucian Blaga, îndrăgostit de puterea creatoare a cuvântului românesc, ne-a lăsat o metaforă care spune aproape totul: ’limba este întâiul mare poem al unui popor.’

Și poate că acesta este marele nostru privilegiu: să rostim în fiecare zi un poem milenar, moștenit de la cei de dinaintea noastră. Avem datoria să-l păstrăm viu pentru cei ce vor veni. Cât de simplu și cât de adânc poate fi spus un adevăr: limba ne leagă de cei care au fost, ne definește pe cei care suntem și ne încredințează o moștenire pe care trebuie să o ducem mai departe.”

● Historic background info (extracts):

Romanian Language is mother tongue of around 30 million individuals, taught as a foreign language in universities, in 45 countries.

Ø  Romanian Language Day is “celebrated nationally on August 31, starting from the year 2013 when the law establishing this holiday was enacted. The programs and cultural-educational events, with evocative or scientific characteristics, dedicated to this day emphasize the importance of the Romanian language not only as a means of communication but also as a repository of history, culture, and national identity”.

     (Source: Business Reviews News)

Ø  Romanian Language Day (Romanian: “Ziua Limbii Române”) is celebrated annually on August 31 to honor the Romanian language, its culture and heritage. It was first officially proposed in Romania in 2011, and the law establishing it was promulgated in 2013.

     The holiday celebrates Romanian as a Romance language, related to French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.

      Romanian Language Day (each year, on August 31) is marked with public and cultural events, promotes linguistic heritage and fosters international recognition of the Romanian language and culture.

      Extra officially, Romanian communities worldwide celebrate the holiday to maintain cultural ties, preserve national identity through language, and engage diaspora population in literary and educational projects.  The holiday encourages linguistic pride and promotes intergenerational connection through shared cultural practices.

      (Source: Agerpress)

● My previous greetings on the same theme: ROMANIAN LANGUAGE Day – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021