Friday, August 27, 2021

Socializing: Summer Picnic 2021 & Book Launch

Since the social austerity in our province at this very moment is slightly more relaxed, on Friday (August 27, 2021) I was happy to organize (in a public park), a summer picnic together with my group, this being the only ‘in person’ meeting of the current year.
Also, that evening, we all were very pleased to have with us again two dear guests of honor – Dr. Ovidiu Grecea together with his wife. As already mentioned few times before, Dr. Grecea is the Head of the Romanian Diplomatic Mission in Vancouver, as well as Plenipotentiary Minister of Romania in Canada.
In his remarks, Dr. Grecea congratulated ALICE & Friends Circle
 for the ongoing cultural activity, re-emphasizing again the role the group plays in the local cultural arena, as well as refreshing the special tenderness Romanians (in general) are capable of.
On this occasion, I’ve included into our program a “book launch section” as two friends of my group – Teodor and Cristian Trandafir (father & son) – were each publishing at the same time a volume of poetry. I did find appropriate to present the audience these two books, as nowadays it is quite seldom to encounter such synchronicities…father & son, both amateur poets, each publishing a poetry book…a nice coincidence that I enjoyed highlighting at my Circle.
Aside of that, at this gathering I suggested Teodor to invite some of his personal friends, who are not coming at our usual events, and I was pleased to notice that all of them enjoyed the evening. After I introduced these 2 books, Consul Grecea as well as few other guests shared some personal remarks on this matter too.
In brief about the 2 books presented:
·         Teodor’s poetry book called “Balsam pentru suflet” is mainly a collection of religiously inspired poems, patriotic poetry, short elegies, brief meditations, plenty of friends’ anniversaries and lots of wishes he formulated for his close fellows belonging to Romanian community from Vancouver.
·         Cristian’s book, called “Cuvinte alese” includes poems that illustrate feelings, personal experiences he collected over a number of years, as well as thoughts, opinions, impressions and appreciations, all springing from the overflow of his soul.
Each guest received a poetry book, and Teodor together with his wife Marcela were kind to interpret a few for the audience.
Next, while we enjoyed the light refreshments brought along, we continued the evening with a number of group songs. At this point in time, I was glad to distribute few brochures with several well-known Romanian songs so we all could sing together…some guests loved the gesture so much that they didn’t even return the copies back, but rather preferring to keep them as a souvenir and eventually using them as further templates for other occasions. I found that amusing!
Our evening together was pleasant and relaxing, and the fresh air from that secular forest brought upon each of us a splendid sense of peace and emotional sanity.
Concluding my briefing here, once again I’m sending along my appreciation to each guest of the evening, wishing them all best personal regards!
This event has been delivered in Romanian Language, featuring Romanian culture. 
Message gratefully received from “OBSERVATORUL”, from Toronto
Please use the automated translator installed at the bottom of the page to translate this message into any language you wish…thank you!
(In Romanian Language) 
"Bucuroşi să vă prezentăm un alt eveniment cultural reuşit al grupului ALICE & FRIENDS CIRCLE™  din Vancouver.
Plăcere să publicăm crónica colaboratorei noastre, doamna 
Dorina Cornelia Aldea la
http://www.observatorul.com/default.asp?action=articleviewdetail&ID=22960  şi o poză de la acest picnic şi lansare de carte la:
http://www.observatorul.com/events_main.asp
Sănătate şi numai bine vă dorim!"

  ARTICLE featuring our event on August 27, 2021, offered by OBSERVATORUL (from Toronto, Canada)
NOTĂ:
Începând cu anul 2000 Revista Observatorul face parte din 'The National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada' (o organizație ne-guvernamentală, care reprezintă publicații, ce servesc 150 de limbi şi comunități culturale din Canada).  
Relațiile între membrii organizației au devenit apropiate, ne cunoaștem sărbătorile tradiționale, participăm, ne felicităm la diferite ocazii speciale, aniversări, împărțim informații diverse.

La pagina 8 (în acest link: http://www.observatorul.com/events_main.asp), este redat picnicul organizat de
Alice & Friends Circle (articol & fotografie),
pe data de 27 august 2021. Este o plăcere să vedem acest articol şi fotografia aferentă în forma tiparită. Lectură plăcută
  ARTICLE featuring our event on August 27, 2021, offered by Uniunea Ziariştilor Profesionişti din România, under their “BREAKING NEWS” section  (from Romania)
 ARTICLE featuring our event on August 27, 2021, offered by Ziarul românilor din Andalucía, under their “Cultură, Români în lume” section (from Spain)

Monday, July 19, 2021

Summer vibes of 2021

SUMMER – perfect in every way….the sun is most active, people are more relaxed, everything in nature is flourishing abundantly, flowers are blooming with lots of splendid colors and fragrances allowing everyone to feel their amazing smell in the air, trees are radiant, birds are singing...and if you might happen to watch a sunset, allow yourself to ponder the shades and the contrasts…or if you would choose to observe your surroundings more closely, or to appreciate a light breeze which might come from the ocean or from the hills stirring the leaves, you could experience a beautiful serenity of being, a better health, and above all, a quality time and a rejuvenating inner peace, which is beyond the brain…enjoy these beautiful, summery, moments!

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Socializing: CANADA Day 2021 – Morning Coffee Talks

Each year, on July 1st is Canada Day (“National Day”), and on Thursday morning (July 1, 2021) I was happy to meet on line, for a short while, with a small group of available friends to cross reference notes about Canada – the beautiful country we all live in!
Somehow, the 1
st of July this time appeared to be slightly more relaxed than the previous one, still left thought with numerous pandemic related restrictions in place, observed to various degrees throughout the entire realm.
But "Canada Day" is "Canada Day" and we each did our best to honor the occasion. 
Without any doubt, for every Canadian this is the perfect time of the year to slow down and ponder (at large) about the many things we are blessed with (as Canadians), such as peace, wonderful nature, clean air, pure waters, splendid landscape!
At today’s dialogue table (under my brand of “Morning Coffee Talks with Alice”), I’ve invited again few people belonging to different generations, eager to listen to their renewed perspectives about their life in Canada, about their experiences (good or lesser), about their dreams and about their plans for future….all in one, genuine gratitude was nicely emerging around the circle.
Once again, to each and every guest of this gathering, HAPPY CANADA DAY, dear fellow Canadians, many thanks for joining me this time and for honestly sharing your thoughts with the rest of the group…your contribution is truly appreciated!

This event was featuring the Canadian life & culture.  
● A previous event I organized on the same theme: CANADA Day – 2020
● Some of my additional greetings referring to CANADA Day – 20202019

July 1, 2021: CANADA Day

Canada Day is the day we all think about how far we've come, it is a day we reflect on what it means to each of us to be part of this beautiful country, it is a day to ponder and honor. Every year, on July 1st, Canadians across the country and around the world show their pride in their history, culture and achievements…a special day, when many festivities are held throughout the entire realm, since 1868. CANADA indeed reflects well the old concept of unity in diversity, and diversity in unity.
Congratulations to youCanada…and once again, a very happy Canada Day to one and all!
● My previous greetings on the same theme: CANADA Day – 20202019

Thursday, June 24, 2021

June 24, 2021: Celebrating the ROMANIAN BLOUSE Day

Romanian ethnography and folklore - ancestral legends and traditions
Beautiful day on Tuesday (June 24, 2021), when I organized an evening assembly featuring the Universal day of the Romanian Blouse, highlighting at the same time relevant concepts pertaining to Romanian ethnography and folklore, as well as ancestral legends and traditions. 

Aside of that, I would like to remind that our province slowly continues to reopen further and further (in staged phases), but since I still can sense a significant amount of anxiety in the air, for the time being, I've decided to continue with my events on line.  

At this gathering, I was very happy that Consul Grecea could join the group (Honorable Grecea is the General Consul of Romania and the Head of the Romanian Diplomatic Mission in Vancouver, as well as Plenipotentiary Minister of Romania in Canada).

After all my guests arrived, I delivered my opening remarks and then I’ve presented a condensed slide show (published below) featuring the fundamental concepts of the Romanian Blouse (Ro: 'Ie'), as well as highlighting another old tradition, called 'Sânzienele' (or 'Drăgaica' in some parts of Romania).
Before I will give you a general overview of the talks that happened, for your convenience, below are some reference details:
a) Background info about the UNIVERSAL DAY OF THE ROMANIAN BLOUSE
The Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse (Ro: 'Ziua Iei') is celebrated each year on June 24, all around the world, since 2013….over the last few years, this occasion has become a truly global event celebrated on six continents and in more than 55 countries. This movement grew exponentially, with an audience of millions of people around the world, fact which contributed decisively to the rebirth and a renewed interest in traditional Romanian culture.
This festivity (the Day of the Romanian Blouse) entered the annual program of museums and cultural institutions in the country and abroad, being marked both by the Romanian embassies and by the diplomatic missions of Romania. Generally speaking, these blouses are very beautiful and highly regarded by many, being considered special "ethnological artifacts, communicating through hand-embroidered symbols the identity of their wearer".
On this day, Romanians and all those who love and appreciate the Romanian culture, are asked to wear a traditional Romanian blouse or shirt.
b) Background info about 'SÂNZIENE'
Also, in Romanian folk beliefs, June 24 marks the Midsummer Day, called 'Sânzienele' (or 'Drăgaica' in some parts of the country) – a summer festival which celebrates nature and fertility (fecundity). According to several legends, 'Sânzienele' are very beautiful girls who live in forests or areas unexplored by people, “considered to be the fairies of the field, giving special powers to the flowers and the weeds, which are turned into medicinal herbs around the June 24 celebration. It is not a coincidence that all the plants stop growing after the day of Sânziene.” On the same day (June 24) Christians celebrate the birth of St. John the Baptist.  

Then the evening continued with Consul Grecea’s talk, which re-emphasized the historic significance of the Romanian traditional blouse ('Ie'), its authenticity, as well as its beautiful continuity over centuries. (note: another personal message from Consul Grecea is in comments section).
After that, each guest of the evening spoke about his or her regional outfit (the Romanian blouse as well as the other component elements of their traditional costumes) interweaving these descriptions with the popular legends, traditional festivals (such as 'Călușarii' & 'Junii Brașovului') of the area to which they belong to.
All the myths, stories, poems, songs or personal perspectives shared that evening were full of warmth & genuine emotions, which warmed our hearts even more (to some bringing even a playful tear into the corner of an eye), leading to a general state of peace & profound well-being, while bringing so much joy to our souls! 
The evening ended with the famous Romanian song, called “Cu caciulile pe frunte” that our friend Teodor start singing for the group & then we all joined in!
We all experienced such a special & uplifting sense of unity…truly beautiful! 
Without any doubt, a splendid evening well spent together with likeminded friends.

In winding up, given that people on this part of the world just celebrated Father’s Day (few days ago), at this time I’m sending along my very best regards to all fathers who are part of Alice & Friends Circle™ wishing them good health, joy and happiness!

Until we meet again, best wishes to all for a pleasing summer!
Alice
It is very inspiring to observe how a tradition gathers enough strength to go on for centuries.

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