Thai New Year, known as Songkran, is one of the most vibrant festivals in Thailand. Celebrated every year from April 13 to 15, it marks the traditional Thai solar new year and is a time of renewal, family gatherings and cultural celebrations. The word “Songkran” comes from the Sanskrit word “Sankranti,” meaning “a change or transformation.” It represents the sun’s transition into Aries, signaling the …
As spring arrives, communities around the world celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year—a festival of renewal, hope and justice. Marking the vernal equinox, Nowruz has been observed for over 3,000 years across Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and Central Asia, as well as in Kurdish, Turkic Uyghur and Parsi communities worldwide. The day symbolizes fresh beginnings, much like the pursuit of fairness and equity in our legal …
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made, acknowledge the challenges still faced, and reaffirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for all members of the legal community. The theme this year is “Accelerate Action” – focusing on the need to take swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in …
Family Day celebrates familial values and was first introduced in Ontario on February 18, 2008, as a provincial public holiday by Premier Dalton McGuinty of the Liberal Party. To this day, it is continuously observed on the third Monday of every February. Although not a national holiday, many provinces have adopted the holiday including Alberta (where Family Day originated from), British Colombia, New Brunswick and …
Eight years ago, on January 29, 2017, Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzedine Soufiane, and Aboubaker Thabti, tragically lost their lives when a gunman opened fire at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec in Sainte-Foy. Thirteen others were seriously injured. These profound losses are remembered nationally and globally. The Government of Canada designated January 29 to be the National Day of …
The Lunar New Year, often referred to as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is one of the most important cultural celebrations in many parts of the world. With its roots in ancient China the celebration marks the start of a new lunar calendar cycle. In today’s interconnected world, the Lunar New Year transcends regional boundaries and brings together millions of people. Cities around …
