This
Friday (March 13’20) I was glad to be
able to proceed with the winter session of my book club, having with us the author Luminița Aldea as special guest.
Before I continue with my usual event related briefing, I would like to quickly address
a current matter: in response to the present global health situation, for our
gathering on March 13, 2020, I carefully reviewed all the updates given by the local
municipality (Fraser Health Authority, BC Centre for Disease Control) for this specific day, as well as the federal Government (Public Health Agency of Canada), and concluded that our gathering for that very evening
was in compliance with their recommendations. In
addition, I took additional measures (and before the arrival of my invitees, I personally cleaned with alcohol all surfaces and provided all my guests that
evening with sanitized hand towels) to help ensure that all participants experience a safe and healthy environment. Aside of that, for that very
gathering, we all refrained from hugging or shaking hands, and the frugal snacks
brought for the occasion were each separately wrapped.
We all understand that
this is a difficult time and taking extra measures (by wiping down the surfaces we get in touch with & encourage
anyone who is not feeling 100% well to stay home) is something everyone
would benefit from.
We all stay strong and trust that in time this will pass.
Without any doubt, it was a session very different
from our usual gatherings, but nonetheless, very special in every way!
At
this meeting we discussed the book "Shifting Sands" & few fragments from
the book called "Acasa" ("Home").
Our special guest, brought along a charming positivism, a warm approach, and
all blended in nicely and easily, as discussions unfolded.
Portrait: Luminița Aldea
(As featured by "Suceava News"): Luminiţa Aldea was born in Mălini, but lives in Cornu Luncii, because
"I like to live modestly, close to nature, among the trees, flowers and
grass and I do not want changes that will wander me from my path", as she
confesses.
The
writer's debut novel is "Shifting Sands", published in 2005. Then,
Luminiţa Aldea wrote the book called "Home", a grandiose project in
which "she reveals what the holy notion of <home> means to me and my
people", the author shows.
In
the novel "Home", Luminiţa Aldea said that she paid her sacred duty
to the ancestors, "but I also wrote my will as a toiling of the written
letters." "Home" is a captivating book, in which the reader
discovers the world of the orphan children, the universe of children raised by
the state, in foster homes, where loneliness is also a friend and a foe, an angel
and a demon. "Home" was a resounding success. Appeared in a limited
edition, it made people from Suceava to sign up on waiting lists, at the
Library of Bukovina, so they could borrow the book.
The
third novel, an allegory, "How sweet are the bitter fruits", was
published in 2014, as a result of "Culture unites Bucovina" campaign.
In the comments section, I’m
publishing the links of several interviews author Luminita Aldea had been given
over time.
Further, here is a brief synopsis of “Shifting Sands” novel, as circulated by
“Goodreads”:
“Essentially a love story that proves love can survive against all odds - even
against a tide of adversity which would cause normal humans to give up. This is
an emotionally charged story, set at the time which started with the fall of
communism in Eastern Europe and Adriana never gives up on finding her first and
true love.”
On the other hand, if
you wish to order any books author Luminita Aldea wrote, please contact her
directly via this email address: aldea_luminita@yahoo.com
Via modern theology, our special guest was able to join us straight from
Romania, and in order to be with us for our scheduled 6 pm (PST) meeting, the author had to
wake up at 4 am (EET), so
we could have a live conversation. Needless to say that the entire audience
found her gesture really special!
Then the dialogue with the author launched, and each participant was taking
turns in showing thankfulness for the occasion, sharing the impact materials in
discussion left on each of them, asking questions and carefully listening to
the answers received.
For
your information, here I will share only few, rough, concepts (picked from both sides):
- How do you organize yourself and prepare for “writing”? │ When you begin writing, first allow your thoughts to clarify and then
put all on paper.
-
What is inspiration? │At times inspiration feels like insanity; it
feels that you are in such a creative trance, hard for ones around to
understand you.
- How do you manage to keep the reader interested
in the story, as all the books our guest wrote are extremely captivating? │ All is based on ‘understanding’ …being
capable to put yourself in reader’s shoes, and at the same time always being
willing to self-improve.
- Where do you find inspiration? │Generally speaking, life situations give us
so many opportunities…you just need to keep your eyes open, and at times,
listening to music could also
help.
….and the evening nicely continued, while many questions / comments went
on, and on, and on….all was good, rich in emotions, and truly
fitting….laughing, talking, asking, sharing lead to genuine heart openings,
with many sparks of light in the air….and time just simply flew by….
Now, very briefly speaking about music, few names of very well-known fragments of
inspiration were given, and below I will list them, as some of us, from the
audience, have exactly the same preferences:
- “We are free now” (the
soundtrack/theme song from the "Gladiator” film), which I simply love
it since 2012, when the movie first came into existence!!!
Also, talking about life (from general to
specific and the other way around), talking about the main characters from
the books in discussion (and not only),
comparing life-styles, discussing chances and opportunities, brought us all to an
important concept: DESTINY, and here are few fundamental thoughts to ponder
upon:
- What is destiny?
- How do you shape it? Can you truly shape it?
- Is really our history our destiny?
- Is our destiny written for us, or by us?
- Often the steps we take to avoid destiny lead us straight to it.
- Is destiny something we wait for or in fact we work for?
Many people believe that destiny is not
necessarily a matter of chance, but rather a matter of all the choices we make.
The time we spent together flew by very fast,
and as we waved “Good bye!” to our special guest, we all agreed that it would
be lovely to visit again, as there are still a lot of important concepts left to
discuss.
We concluded the evening in good spirits, considering that kindness,
positivism & good deeds are very important aspects of life, we all need to
continue to focus on.
Dear friends, as these days it feels the world is slowing down and stepping
back, I wish you all find strength, listen to good music, study, research and
reflect. Continue to offer heart-to-heart smiles, while allowing yourself and
your loved ones time to respite, rest and restore.
Alice 
