COLLABORATION: 2025 – “Eminescu Year”

On 15 June 2025, ALICE & Friends Circle™ in collaboration with Holly Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church from New Westminster, Canada, honored the reputable Romanian poet Mihai Eminescu, because the entire year of 2025 has been officially declared “Mihai Eminescu Year”, commemorating the 175^th anniversary of the birth of Romania’s national poet. This landmark decision, at the suggestion of and fully endorsed by the Romanian Academy, shines a spotlight on a literary figure whose impact extends far beyond Romanian borders, highlighting the enduring relevance of his work in contemporary culture and education. 
This initiative underscores the timeless and unifying nature of Eminescu’s writings, demonstrating its capacity to foster understanding and inspiration across national and linguistic boundaries. The declaration of 2025 as “Mihai Eminescu Year” is more than a tribute; it is an invitation to explore, reflect and engage with works that have shaped our national identity and literary history. Eminescu’s voice continues to inspire, educate and connect people across generations and continents, reaffirming his place not only in Romanian literature, but in the broader landscape of the world culture as well. By dedicating this year to his life and work, Romania honors a legacy that remains profoundly relevant and ever-inspiring.

In 2025, I planned at my Circle 3 events featuring our esteemed poet, Mihai Eminescu: #1 on 15 January 2025, #2 on 15 June 2025 (actually this collaboration) & #3 to be on 19 September 2025. Once again, many thanks to all friends, collaborators & supporters of our Circle for joining efforts in making this day special!

PS: For your reference, here is a similar event I organized at my Circle 5 years ago (on January 2020), at that time commemorating the 170^th anniversary of the birth of Romania’s national poet, Mihai Eminescu. 

To further honor "Eminescu Year" and pay a supplementary tribute to our national poet, 
I would like to share some additional reflections here, penned in Romanian language, with respect and admiration...

To translate this into English or into any other language, please use the automated translator installed at the bottom of the page. Thank you!

Anul 2025 este declarat oficial de către Parlamentul României  (la inițiativa Academiei Române)  “Anul Eminescu”  (pentru că marchează 175 de ani de la nașterea poetului naţional al României)....o deosebită oportunitate pentru a celebra geniul său poetic și contribuția sa inestimabilă la limba și cultura română.

Acesta este momentul perfect să redescoperim poeziile, aforismele și publicistica lui Eminescu – nu doar de sărbători, ci în fiecare zi. Poate că mulți dintre voi se întreabă de ce oare este util să facem acest lucru, ce relavanţă mai are în zilele noastre? Păi are, pentru că atunci când ne amintim de Eminescu nu e doar un gest de simbol național, ci și un omagiu care onorează un spirit încă viu...încă printre noi – prin vers, adevăr și frumusețe. Haideți să deschidem cărțile sale, să le citim, să ne inspirăm și să păstrăm vie cultura noastră!

În anul 2025, am programat la Cerc 3 evenimente, menite să onoreze amintirea poetului național al României.

...astfel noi ne-am adus aminte de marele nostru Eminescu...

The “Art” of PRESENCE

I truly believe that genuine “presence” is a beautiful “art”, which allows you to journey into the “now”!

In a world that constantly urges us forward (toward success, toward the next milestone, toward tomorrow, etc.) presence is the quiet rebellion of being here, now. It is the act of choosing not to exist in a fragmented state, divided between yesterday’s memories and tomorrow’s expectations. Presence is the full embrace of this very moment, with all its imperfections and beauty.

We live in a time where the mind is seldom still, because phones buzz, notifications demand attention, thoughts pull us in different directions. Even in moments of supposed rest, we are elsewhere – either replaying to all sorts of conversations, probably pre-empting the future, or simply scrolling endlessly on all sorts of gadgets, but in doing so, we deny ourselves the rawness of experience.

To be present it is to shed the weight of distraction; it is to taste food with full attention, it is to hear the undertones in someone’s voice, it is to feel the ground beneath our feet…in essence, it is the practice of simply being.

Be still, and listen…the wind whispers your name. Everything that matters in this moment it is already here...

On the other hand, presence is more than mindfulness. Presence it is a form of reverence, a respect for time itself, and for the breath we are given. It is sitting in silence and allowing it to settle; it is walking through a forest and realizing that every leaf has a story, every branch has danced in the wind.

When we are truly present, we do not live life at its surface, but we dwell in the depths, in the unnoticed spaces where meaning exists...could be the eyes of a loved one, holding something unspoken, or the manner in which the morning light filters through curtains, painting quiet gold across the floor, or just a simple deep exhale when the body is releasing its held tension.

The sacredness of presence – look, the sky does not hurry…it unfolds in softness, whispering to the earth: you too may rest!

Aside of that, I would like to bring forward the concept of presence in conversations, asking how often do we listen without formulating a response in our minds? How often do we hear beyond words (into pauses, into tones, into hesitations)?

I truly believe that presence in conversation it is not just about hearing – it is about understanding and about holding the space for others.

To be fully present with someone is an act of generosity, which is the opposite of self-centeredness. In other words, it is saying, “I am here with you, fully”. We do not rush their thoughts, nor do we impose our own. We allow silence where it is needed. We offer attention not as a fleeting gift, but as a steady presence.

 Speak to me in pauses, I will hear your quiet truth. In spaces between words, we meet.

Despite all our attempts to plan and anticipate, the present moment remains our only certainty. To ignore it is to abandon life itself. We often think of time as something slipping away, but perhaps it is only when we cease to notice the present that it truly escapes us.

Being present does not mean neglecting the future or disregarding the past. It simply means honoring what is here, it means living in a way that (when the moment passes) we do not have any regrets.

Concluding here my brief dissertation, I would like to emphasize that presence is an art, as well as a practice; it is the choice to immerse oneself in the richness of now, to see life for what it is, in all its depth and subtlety; it is the understanding that every breath, every passing moment, is a gift…the gift of “presence”.

Breathe in the now…it has waited for you…soft as morning light…steady as the tide.

Let presence be your quiet rebellion against distraction; let it be your devotion to life itself!

June 2025: Happy FATHER’s Day!

A Father's Day tribute today (15 June 2025)  to all fathers, grandfathers, and father figures – today it is about you…it's about the sacrifices you've made, about the wisdom you've shared, and about the love you've given, often without asking for anything in return.

Fatherhood isn’t about perfection; it's about presence…it's about being there in the moments big and /or small, teaching lessons not just through words but through actions. So today, we celebrate you. We honor the laughter, the lessons, the protection, and the unwavering support you provide, and….please do know that you are valued, you are loved and you are appreciated!

Happy  Father's  Day to all the incredible fathers out there! 

● My previous greetings on the same theme:  FATHER’s Day – 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

June 1, 2025 – INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN's Day

 Each year, on June 1: INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN's DAY – it is celebrated as the International Day for Protection of Children in many countries.

We, as adults, should do our best to make sure these young souls are safe & let them enjoy their childhood with happiness & innocence as this time will never return.

Happy International Children’s Day!

La multi ani copiilor de pretutindeni!  

”Copiii sunt ca zmeiele: îi vei învăța să zboare, dar ei nu vor zbura zborul tău. 

Îi vei învăţa să viseze, dar ei nu vor visa visul tău. Îi vei învăţa să trăiască, dar ei nu-ţi vor trăi viaţa.

Dar în fiecare zbor, în fiecare vis şi în fiecare viaţă amprenta învăţăturii primite va rămâne pentru totdeauna.” (Maica Tereza)

My previous greetings on the same theme:  INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN's Day – 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

JUNE…the “midsummer month”

JUNE (the 6^th month of the year) it is full of significance, both historically and culturally. It marks the halfway point of the year and it is the time when summer officially begins in our Northern Hemisphere (with the summer solstice, typically occurring between June 20-21, marking the longest day of the year, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky).

The name "June" is believed to have originated from the Roman goddess Juno, who was the goddess of marriage and childbirth, and because of this, June has long been considered a favorable month for weddings. It is the threshold of summer – the month of ripening days and restless wanderings…it is the moment when spring lets go, sighing softly into the warmth of longer hours and fragrant air. In June, the sun lingers its golden thread stitching late evenings into the fabric of memory, and we can see that the lilacs surrender their last perfumed breath, while roses rise, unbowed.

June is neither a beginning nor an end, but rather a space in between – an interlude of possibilities and a summer’s overture. This month, the school bells become quiet, and somehow the city streets hum in a softer, wandering rhythm. Many gardens brim with expectations, while their roots are deepening as leaves unfold.

There is something effortless in the way June persuades – inviting us to go more often outdoors, to walk bare feet upon the warmer earth, while whispering of more and longer road trips and vacations.

In my opinion, there’s a certainty to the light in June…it arrives early & it lingers, making every shadow stretch longer, every morning softer. Also, it seems that the quality of the air itself shifts, holding promises of adventure/s, the scent of salt on distant shores & the crisp edges of impending change. This is the time of golden hours, where the world sways gently in the glow of twilight; this is a time when many conversations lengthen over patio tables, when the ice cubes are melting slowly in the hush between sentences...we watch as dusk hesitates, suspended, reluctant to surrender...beautiful moments of togetherness, having the love ones close to us.

June does not ask for urgency; it is a season of pause, of motion without hurry...the days brim with possibility, yet there is no demand.
Unlike July, with its fevered pulse, or May, which still clings to spring’s indecision, June stands confidently, balanced between what was and what will be.
It is the solstice’s quiet rebellion, a surrender to light without resistance.

June is memory before it is lived, it is the laughter carried through open windows, the scent of freshly cut grass hanging in the evening air; it is the soft unraveling of routine and the embrace of something looser – unstructured days with many moments unfolding without demand. During this time of the year, we find ourselves drawn to the simplicity of June – the ease of its warmth, the tenderness of its long-lit evenings…in this space, time is less rigid.

So, let June be what it is …an invitation to linger, a promise whispered in waves, a month that holds its breath & asks nothing but that we pause long enough to listen.

June arrives like a whispered promise, wrapping the world in golden light.

The air hums with possibility, and every sunset is a masterpiece painted in fire and rose.

Philosophers’ Café with ALICE & Friends: Spring 2025

 The complete briefing will be available soon. Thank you!

About the TRADITIONAL ROMANIAN BLOUSE

A traditional Romanian blouse
("Ie românească")

Dear friends, please do know that the traditional Romanian blouse ("ie" by its original Romanian name) is a significant part of the Romanian culture, not just a simple traditional peasant blouse, which these days turned out to be a symbol of Romania, proudly emphasized along with its old legends. Every "ie", along with the other items of the traditional folk costume, has its own story…metaphorically speaking, a long and beautiful journey, told in symbols, colors and magnificent embroideries, passed on from generation to generation.

This type of blouse it is entirely hand-made, from a special fabric (called approx. in English "sheer lawn"), with exquisite embroideries on the chest, back and sleeves, with designs preserved for centuries. The signs and symbols embroidered on each traditional Romanian blouse aren’t just random decorations, but each has its own significance, depending on the region, the seamstress, and the person who wore it. For example, among the symbols embellished on each blouse there could be a tree or a tree-like design, which is the symbol of life, wisdom and rebirth. The fir tree is particularly drawn on the Romanian blouse, especially in the mountain rural areas, and symbolizes the immortality, a motif seldom found in Romanian mythology.
The circle or a sunflower represent the sun, day or Divinity; in Romanian tradition, the sun was at the core of life and often associated with abundance.
Other motifs related to daily activities can be found ranging from one region to another: water (either as a river or as sea waves) and fish in the fishing villages along the rivers and sea coast, wheat or corn stems in agricultural villages, wheels or coin in crafting traders’ villages, and so on. At the same time, the colors on the blouse also vary according to the geographic region; green and gold symbolize the plains, gray, red and brown for the mountains and blue for the rivers. 

For instance, in the past, young girls from the countryside, who were not married used to wear merry colors on their blouses, combinations of red, yellow, pink & light colors, while the dark ones (brown, black, dark green) & gold were usually worn by older women, married and / or having a certain social statute.

Generally speaking, this traditional Romanian blouse ("ie" – pronounced "ee-eh") is a pretty simple blouse, commonly worn by Romanian girls and women, but has overcome its historic peasant confines, and it became an important source of inspiration for many fashion designers (ranging from less known to very well known) in Romania and abroad (for instance, high-ranking names, such as Tom Ford based his 2012 collection on the Romanian traditional motifs). 

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, and on the same list, in 2017, “Mărțișor” was added.

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, and the timeless wisdom of their ancestors as well as their Romanian beautiful identity outfit – “ia”.
This type of celebration it is a good opportunity for all Romanians around the world to further promote this old and beautiful Romanian cultural artifact.

The tradition is alive, and the story goes on....

Symbols represented on the Romanian traditional blouses

The Romanian blouse, known as "ie," is adorned with a variety of symbols and motifs that hold a deep cultural significance. These symbols are often linked to the region of Romania where the blouse originates from and they can represent various aspects of life, such as age, marital status and social standing.

For your convenience, here are:

1) Few EVENTS I personally organized at my Circle, featuring the traditional Romanian blouse – 2023, 2022, 2021

2) The 1^st event organized in partnership with few other groups from Vancouver, featuring the Romanian blouse – 2024

3) Few promotional GREETING cards I’ve put together featuring the Romanian blouse – 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

May 2025: “Happy MOTHER’s Day!”

Today (May 11, 2025) we celebrate the love, the strength and the endless support of all the incredible mothers out there – the quiet warriors, the tireless nurturers, the everyday heroes. Today, we celebrate you – the ones who gave us love before we even knew what it meant… who stood by us with strength, warmth, and endless patience. Whether you're a mom, remembering a mom, a grandma, a mother figure, or celebrating a mother figure in your life, or someone who’s poured love into others – this day is for you.

Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible mothers out there! 

● My previous greetings on the same theme: MOTHER’s Day –2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019