June 24, 2023 – Universal Day of the ROMANIAN BLOUSE

Since 2013, on each June 24, Romanians around the world celebrate The Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse, occasion which allows them to bring forward the richness of their cultural heritage, their traditional customs, the timeless wisdom of their ancestors as well as their Romanian beautiful identity outfit – “ia”.

June 24 marks also the Midsummer Day – known as “Sânzienele” in Romanian folk beliefs.

Best greetings to all those who honor this day and continuously promote the Romanian culture & traditions!

Pe 24 iunie, oriunde v-ați afla, purtați ie sau o cămașă tradițională de sărbătoare și o coroniță de flori tămăduitoare. Vă doresc o zi cu soare, flori și bucurie!

● Background info:
Also, I would like to mention that on December 1, 2022, (on Romania’s National Day), UNESCO has decided to inscribe the Romanian traditional blouse on their list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity…please follow the links below for a more detailed reading about this significant gesture…thank you!

- ARTICLE: Traditional Romanian blouse included in UNESCO patrimony

- ARTICLE: The art of the traditional blouse with embroidery on the shoulder (altiţă) - an element of cultural identity

● My previous greetings on the same theme: The Universal Day of the ROMANIAN BLOUSE – 2022, 2021, 2020
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). 

June 21, 2023: SUMMER solstice

Welcome, SUMMER!

 “Summer Solstice” is an astronomical event, marking the 1^st day of summer in Northern Hemisphere – a splendid season, which fills our hearts with bliss and joy! 
At this time of the year, Sun is the most powerful, but after the Solstice, days will start to get shorter & shorter; 
meanwhile, all is green & growing – a beautiful celestial reminder of the perpetual miracle of creation. 

May the radiant Sun Light fill & nourish your hearts!

● Scientific briefing on SUMMER SOLSTICE (few documentaries): ”What is a Solstice?” (National Geographic)|
”What happens during the day of June 21 - summer solstice”| ”What happens during the summer solstice?” 
● Few relaxing moments: ”Summer time” (Gershwin) | Classical Music for SUMMER – audio   

● My previous greetings on the same theme: SUMMER Solstice – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

June 18, 2023: “Happy FATHER’s Day!“

 Yearly, many Canadians observe Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June, and in 2023 this is on June 18^th. Today, may we each take a moment to show our appreciation for fatherhood and fathers all across.  Just like mothers, fathers are important too….love them, cherish them and celebrate them.

To all wonderful fathers out there:...wishing you only the best and may you never forget how special you are!

● My previous greetings on the same theme:  FATHER’s Day – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

June 1, 2023 – INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN's Day

The annual observance of INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN's DAY allows us honor our children, understanding that they represent the future.
This is also a time which gives each individual a new opportunity for an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, by translating these initiatives into actions that will all enable them to build a better world for every child.

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is about." Happy International Children’s Day!

● My previous greetings on the same theme:  INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN's Day – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

Alice’s Book Club – SPRING session of 2023

While the beautiful sunny days of the current spring time have such a marvelous effect on all of us, on Wednesday (May 31’23) I was truly happy to be able to organize the second gathering of the year for my seasonal book club (the spring session of 2023), and for everybody’s convenience, we’ve meet on line.

The theme of the evening was “Fashion in daily life”, and instead of our usual novel, in order to better ignite the conversation, this time a research paper conjugated with a documented essay have been chosen as reading materials.

Of course, in addition, personal experiences and individual perspectives were amply discussed, making our evening together really special. 

It was truly beautiful to observe how well my guests embraced the proposed subject, and how easily our talks emerged, nicely leading to meaningful discussions, with breadth and depth.

As usual, respecting the privacy of the personal matters discussed, here are only few thoughts of general interest, as well as some additional concepts issued by the fashion industry leaders, which might be of interest to you:

- The best fashion is truly what makes you feel happy and, at the end of the day, confidence transcends any fashion rules

- Feeling confident in your clothes is more attractive than any trend could ever be

-  Fashion originated from people’s traditions and cultures, and became what it is today, through individuals adopting each style and making it their own 

- Each era had its style/s that directly resulted from that time’s circumstances

- Fashion industry is a very competitive industry, which depends on person’s search for identity (fashion is a reflection of who you are)

- Fashion has several benefits, such as: boosting self-confidence, lightening moods, and developing creativity

- Generally speaking, fashion choices could help people send messages and present their beliefs, implying the fact that fashion could also be very political

- Each new generation is surrounded and continuously exposed to extensive commercial influences concerning fashion

- It has been observed by many that nowadays youths are more sensitive to what people think of them, and some will always do everything to follow trends, even if they’re not presentable or appropriate, etc....

Typically, our group talks were lengthy, honest, interesting, enjoyable and balanced, leaving each of us with a very pleasant feeling of benevolent camaraderie.

In closing, once again, my most sincere appreciation to all my friends who were able to join me this evening, wishing them each a wonderful rest of spring!

Till we meet again, my warmest regards to all!

Alice 

“FASHION says: me too. STYLE says: only me.”