The Flag Shop Blog

Observing Important Dates in Our Nation’s History

Two major Canadian milestones are coming up for neighbours, Nunavut and Newfoundland and Labrador! On March 31st, 2018, Newfoundland and Labrador celebrates 69 years of Confederation, and on April 1st, 2018, Nunavut celebrates 19 years as the third territory of Canada.

Newfoundland and Labrador – Happy 69th Birthday!
Though often shortened to Newfoundland, in 2001 its name was officially changed to “Newfoundland and Labrador.” The newer name reflects the large area of land on the continental mainland. It was March 31, 1949, when Newfoundland joined Confederation, making it the youngest Canadian province. From 1907 – 1949 it was a British dominion, as were Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

Northern Lights, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador – Source: narcity.com

Interesting Facts about Newfoundland and Labrador
1. Strange Time Zone
Newfoundland and Labrador has a 30-minute time zone, which is quite unusual. Newfoundland and Labrador is 90 minutes ahead of Eastern Time, and 30 minutes ahead of Atlantic Time.

2. One of the Oldest Settlements in North America
St. John’s, the provincial capital, is one of the oldest settlements in North America. There are several possible origins for its name, including being named after explorer John Cabot, who may have sailed into its harbour in 1497. Water St. in downtown St. John’s is reputed to be North America’s oldest street.

Water St, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, August 1945 – Source: cbc.ca

3. Brightly-painted Houses
Row houses are painted in bright and vibrant colours so that ships coming into St. John’s harbour can see land more easily. This makes even more sense since fog is a common occurrence, averaging 200+ days per year.

Row Houses in Newfoundland and Labrador – Source: plentyofcolour.com

Nunavut – Happy 19th Birthday!
Nunavut is an Inuit word which means “our land.” On April 1, 1999, the eastern part of the Northwest Territories became Nunavut, dividing the massive territory. This change was decades in the making, and involved the largest land claims settlement in Canadian history. The Inuit gained control over 350,000 square kilometres of land, including mineral rights to a portion of the land. The creation of Nunavut brought about the first change to our nation’s map since Newfoundland and Labrador joined Confederation on March 31, 1949.

Sunset in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut – Photo by: K. Holben

Interesting Facts about Nunavut
1. Day and Night in Nunavut
The sun rises and sets differently in Nunavut than what most Canadians experience. This territory’s earliest sunset happens in mid-December, at 1:40 p.m. The latest sunrise takes place closer to Christmas at 9:25 a.m. During the summer months, the capital, Iqaluit has more than 20 hours of sunlight every day! Hard to imagine for most!

2. Inuit Country Food
“Country Food” in a term used to describe traditional Inuit foods. These include caribou, whale, arctic char and seal meat. Since the earliest days, country foods were consumed for day-to-day survival. Today, these foods create family and cultural connections, and are a huge part of the Inuit values of sharing and caring for one another.

Arctic Char (Pipsi) Drying – Source: destinationnunavut.ca

3. The Symbolic Beauty of the Nunavut Flag
Adopted on April 1, 1999, the blue and yellow colours symbolize the richness of the land, sea and sky. The red reflects Canada, and the Inuksuk at the centre represents stone structures in human likeness. Inuksuks guide people on the land, and are also used to mark special or sacred locations. The star is the North Star or “Niqirtsuituq”, which is symbolizes the leadership of elders in the community.

The Flag Shop is here to help you celebrate all that’s great about your province or territory, (including Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nunavut, of course!) with flags of all sizes, as well as friendship pins, crests, window clings, and decals! See the vibrant array, including provincial sets!

For interesting stories and information about flags, and to stay on top of community events happening across Canada, bookmark our blog. Remember to subscribe in the upper right of the blog page, so you don’t miss a thing! And, don’t worry, if you’re not hanging off every word, unsubscribing is easy!

Greeks Celebrate Freedom and Annunciation (What’s that?)

A Quick Introduction to Greece
OPA! The official name of Greece is the Hellenic Republic. This breathtaking country has thousands of islands, including places such as Mykonos and Santorini. As one of the most mountainous countries in Europe, it is home to the well-known Mount Olympus, which has more than 50 peaks. The highest of these peaks is an impressive 9570’. You get the idea – it’s majestic! Today, Greece is an independent republic, full of indescribable natural beauty and cultural pride – but it wasn’t always that way.

Santorini, Greece – Source: socawlege.com

March 25th – A Very Big Day
March 25th is a dual national holiday in Greece, important for both historical and religious reasons. It is known as Greek Independence Day, and also Annunciation Day.

What is Greek Independence Day?
Greek Independence Day marks the start of the War of Greek Independence. The war began nearly 200 years ago, on March 25th 1821, freeing Greece from Ottoman rule. The Ottoman Empire is also known as the Turkish Empire (or what would become modern-day Turkey). This fight for freedom brought an end to 400 long years of oppression, as well as the return of the land now known as modern-day Greece.

Battle Scene, Greek War of Independence by Georg Perlberg

What is Annunciation Day?

Annunciation Day is a day when the Greek Orthodox Church observes the “Celebration of the Annunciation.” Annunciation means announcement, and more specifically in Christianity, it is the announcement by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she was to give birth to the son of God. Interestingly, for Greeks given the names Evangelos, Evangelina, – and names originating from these – such as Evan, Eva, Vangelis, Angelo, Angela, or even Angie, it’s particularly special, because in Greek, “Evangelisimos” means annunciation. So, for all the Angelas out there, Happy Angie Day!

Annunciation Mosaic – Source: thegreekcathedral.com

How is Greek Independence Day celebrated?
In Greece, it is a public holiday, and many go to church in the morning to celebrate the Annunciation, and then go to a memorial service to mark Greek Independence. On this day, parades featuring Greek flags, people dressed in traditional clothing, and marching bands, take place all over Greece. Freedom and Annunciation come together on this day, acknowledging that during the time of Ottoman rule, it was the Greek Orthodox Church that helped Greeks in captivity to guard their faith, traditions, language, and culture.

Independence Day Parade Toronto, 2015 – Source: greekreporter.com

Interesting Facts about Greek Independence and the Flag
1. Theo and Gio are Heroes
Theodoros Kolokotronis and Giorgos Karaiskakis are revolutionary heroes in Greek history who led the fight for Greece’s freedom in 1821.

2. Wearing Pompoms and Pleats
The distinct costume of white leggings and pleated skirts with pompom shoes was the traditional military uniform worn by elite soldiers during the battle against the Turks. The skirt has a whopping 400 pleats, each representing one year of suffering. The uniform is called an “Evzonoi.” Today, the Evzonoi is worn for traditional dance performances.

3. Traditional Food on Independence Day
On this day, Greeks everywhere enjoy crispy, fried cod with a garlic sauce called “bakaliaros skordalia.” While March 25th is during Lent, and fish would not normally be served, the Orthodox Church makes an exception for Annunciation.

4. Freedom and the Flag
The stripes on the flag of blue and white are said to represent the battle cry, “Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος!”, which means “Freedom or Death!” At The Flag Shop, we get excited about flag design history and details, and we also know the blue stripes symbolize freedom and the white, death.

5. The Hymn of Freedom – 158 Verses
The Greek national anthem, called “Hymn to Freedom” was originally a famous poem written by Dionysios Solomos. The poem contains a total of 158 verses! Only the first 24 verses are used in the Greek national anthem.

Greek Military Uniform – Source: allthatsinteresting.com

Where to Get Your Greek Flags?
We thought you’d never ask! All of our Flag Shop locations across Canada carry Greek flags in all sizes! We also have lapel pins, vinyl decals, car flags, pennant strings, paper flags, and crests. We are here to help you celebrate all things Greek! Be sure to let us know if you need a specific item, because you might be surprised to see what we can dig up in our warehouse.

Happy Greek Independence and Annunciation Day!

Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος!

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Join the Global Movement for a Happier World

March 20th is a pretty big day – not only is it the first day of spring, it’s also International Day of Happiness! What does this mean for Canadians and nations around the world? Also know as Happiness Day, this day is set aside for celebrating, and focusing on things that make you, and others around you, happy!

Happiness: Why Does It Matter?
Happiness matters to everyone. We all want to live fulfilling lives, and we want the same for our families and friends. Happiness is about our overall satisfaction with all parts of our lives. It is influenced by many things, including our external circumstances, our attitudes, the choices we make, and our sense of purpose.

What’s it to you?
We’re a pretty happy bunch here at The Flag Shop, and we know it can only be more of a good thing to focus on happiness on March 20, and to be a part of a world movement. Happiness is different things to different people, so what’s it to you?

The Flag Shop President, Susan Braverman, said, “This is a great day to choose happiness, because it’s so important to me that my staff come to work every day, and experience happy moments. This means walking in the door happy, and leaving happy. My goal is that their sense of well-being comes from their work satisfaction, and from the connections we all make with each other – and with our clients.” She added, “I believe that at the heart of achieving happiness is doing good for others whenever you can, having an attitude of gratitude, and of course, creating balance between work, rest and play.”

The UN and the history of Happiness Day
The United Nations (UN) is the world’s largest intergovernmental organization, made up of 193 member states, each having equal representation in the UN General Assembly. Canada has been a member of the UN since November 9, 1945, and joins hands with all member countries in the universal pursuit of happiness.

It was back in July of 2011, when the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution identifying happiness a basic “human goal.” The resolution called for “a balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples.”

The first UN Conference on Happiness was held in April of 2012. It was at the conference that the UN announced International Day of Happiness would be observed every year on March 20, with the first one in 2013.

Pharrell Williams, singer songwriter, at the General Assembly during the special event on the occasion of the International Day of Happiness in 2015. Source: UN Photo/Loey Felipe

Scientific evidence points to improved well-being and increased happiness, identifying 10 Keys to Happier Living, listed here as the Great Dream:

Giving – Do things for others
Relating – Connect with people
Exercising – Take care of your body
Awareness – Live life mindfully
Trying Out – Keep learning new things
Direction – Set goals
Resilience – Find ways to bounce back
Emotions – Look for what’s good
Acceptance – Be comfortable with who you are
Meaning – Be part of something bigger

Take action for a happier world, join the Happiness Movement and get your hands on some cool stuff, including: A World Happiness Report and a World Happiness Guidebook.

We hope you’ll agree that pursuing happiness is a great thing, and we’re here to help you get ready for the big day! Contact us at any of our locations across Canada for products including pride Happy Face buttons and Happy Face tattoos, and United Nations flags. Of course, for a different kind of happiness, you might want to look at cocktail flags, or even flags of your favourite sports team. Let us know if you’re looking for a particular item, because you never can tell what we’ll find in our warehouse!

Have a Happy Happiness Day!

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: Saturday, March 17

St. Patrick’s Day is almost here! On March 17, people everywhere, – Irish, or not – will celebrate with green drinks, Irish jigging, and parades!

St Patrick’s Day parade participants and their dogs in downtown Toronto. Source: CBC News – Trevor Dunn

What is St. Patrick’s Day and why is it important?
Also known as St. Paddy’s Day, this day is important because it marks the anniversary of the death of a Christian missionary named Patrick. He was born in 387, and died on March 17, 461. The day is celebrated in Ireland, and by all of the more than 70 million people of Irish descent around the world. In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday and, for our friends in Newfoundland and Labrador, it is also an official holiday. In 1824, Irish Immigrants founded a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Montreal; today, it’s the longest-running parade in North America.

If you’re celebrating the day, you better wear green!
Green is one of the colours in Ireland’s tri-colour flag, which was first publicly flown in 1848 in the city of Waterford, by an Irish-American patriot named Thomas Francis Meagher. Ireland is known as the “Emerald Isle,” and green is symbolic of Ireland’s lush green landscapes.

Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day is a modern-day tradition, for those who wish to be invisible to leprechauns (to avoid being pinched by them). Some humans pinch others, too (for not wearing green), but only as friendly reminders to stay away from “pinch-happy” leprechauns!

Image source: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Five Fun Facts about St. Paddy’s Day

1. It’s a Guinness Day!
During St. Patrick’s Day, the amount of Guinness consumed around the world reaches almost triple the usual amount! On a regular day, 5 million pints are poured, which jumps to 13 million pints, on March 17. Quick math tells us that’s an astonishing 150 pints per second!

2. There are No Girl Leprechauns!
If you’ve ever seen St. Paddy’s Day decorations showing female leprechauns, don’t get sucked in to the lies! According to Irish folklore, there is no such thing as girl leprechauns! Who knew?

3. Who is Maewyn the Brit?
St. Patrick was actually born in Britain and given the name Maewyn Succat. Don’t worry, we’re surprised, too! According to history, he was sold into slavery in Ireland as a teen. He escaped, returning to England. There, he became an ordained priest named Patrick.

4. Shamrocks are Everywhere!
Why do we think of shamrocks on St. Patrick’s Day? Hint: It’s not about minty, green milkshakes! It is said that St. Patrick used the three leaves to symbolize the Holy Trinity when he introduced Christianity to the people of Ireland.

5. St. Patrick Himself Would Have Gotten Pinched!
St. Patrick would have been pinched plenty of times on his own feast day, because his preferred colour was blue. In fact, green only came to be commonly accepted as the colour of St. Patrick in the late 18th century, after it was associated with the Irish independence movement.

Image source: Steam Whistle Brewing’s Facebook page

Find a Celebration Near You!

There are so many events going on across Canada, and we found a few to share. So don’t be a big eejit! Follow the links, get out there, have a green drink and learn an Irish jig!

Vancouver
St. Patrick’s Day Blarney Stone Pub Kick-off
Saturday, March 10, 2018
10 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
The Blarney Stone in Gastown
Enjoy live music by The Shenanigans and DJ Zeus. Don’t miss the balloon drop at midnight!

Toronto
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Toronto
Sunday, March 11, 2018
12 noon
Starting at Bloor and St. George
This 30th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is sure to be a blast, hosted by the St. Patrick’s Parade Society.

Calgary
St. Patrick’s Day Road Race – Calgary
Sunday, March 11, 2018
9:00 a.m.
Central Memorial High School
Calgary’s Original St. Patrick’s Day Road Race supports The Canadian Diabetes Association and The Calgary Road Runners.

Montreal
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Montreal
Sunday, March 18, 2018
12 noon
Starting at Ste- Catherine and du Fort
Be a part of the 195th St. Patrick’s Day parade, the oldest St, Paddy’s Day Parade in North America.

Quebec City
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Le Défilé – Quebec City
Saturday, March 24, 2018
12 noon
St. Patrick’s High School
Join the fun as Quebeckers and Irish celebrate their strong ties, dating back to the early 19th century when hundreds of thousands of Irish immigrants first came to Québec.

Winnipeg
St. Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade – Winnipeg
Sunday, March 18, 2018
2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Irish Association of Manitoba
Join in on the festivities and live entertainment, including the gloriously green 7th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

Where to Get Your Irish Flags?
We’re so glad you asked! All of our Flag Shop locations across Canada carry Ireland flags, in all sizes! We also have crests, lapel pins, and decals. We are here to help you celebrate all things Irish! Be sure to tell us if you need a specific item, because you might be surprised to see what we can dig up in our warehouse.

We leave you with the words of an old Irish proverb: “If you’re enough lucky to be Irish… You’re lucky enough!”

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

International Women’s Day: March 8^th, 2018

It’s that time of year when we observe International Women’s Day (IWD), and we are thrilled to join Canadians and nations around the world in celebrating women and their contributions towards making the world a better place.

Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day 2018 is “#MyFeminism”, recognizing feminism as an important and powerful global movement which has resulted in the advancement of women. #MyFeminism is inspired by the people who have contributed to shaping Canada into a nation of freedom and equality. From the Canadian women of the 1800s who fought for the right to vote (known as the suffragists) to the advocates and activists of today who continue to work towards positive change, International Women’s Day honours these women.

International Women’s Year Conference – Mexico City 1975. Source: Washington State University

It was in 1975 that the United Nations recognized International Women’s Year. The UN later adopted a resolution designating March 8^th as International Women’s Day. Today, International Women’s Day is observed around the globe, and in many countries is a national holiday. As a global day of recognition of women’s achievements and contributions, this day supports an important call to action: advancing women’s rights and gender equality.

Doreen and Susan Braverman

The Flag Shop has a strong heritage of leadership by women, which began in 1975 – fittingly in the same year as International Women’s Year. That was when Doreen Braverman founded the first-ever, full-service flag store in the world. Then, in 2010, Susan Braverman stepped in, purchasing the company and becoming President. Over the years, our business has brought countless opportunities, for women to grow and thrive in many ways, including social advancement, economic livelihood, innovation and creativity.

We love International Women’s because it reminds us where we come from, and provides opportunities to honour the invaluable contributions of our woman business owners of the franchise team: Le Flag Shop Montreal Owner-Manager, Ginette Bazergul; The Flag Shop Toronto Partners, Lilly and Ladan Siahpoosh; The Flag Shop Nova Scotia Owner, Debbie Hartlen; The Flag Shop Edmonton Owner, Phyllis Bright; and The Flag Shop Saskatoon Owner, Judy Denham. Of course, we can’t forget the women of the franchise management team and The Flag Shop Vancouver Head Office, who bring value to the table every day, contributing to The Flag Shop’s lasting legacy.

Source: InternationalWomen’sDay.com

Join us as we celebrate International Women’s Day, to honour and advocate women, and to help create a brighter future for the daughters of all nations! On March 8^th, add your own voice to all those who are calling out inequality, by using the hashtag #MyFeminism.

We know of many great events happening across Canada, and beyond! For information, or to attend an event in your community, check out a sampling at the links below:

Ottawa – Edmonton

IWD Walk in Her Shoes

Ottawa: Tuesday, March 6, 2018 – Edmonton: Saturday, March 24, 2018

This event challenges people from all walks of life to take 10,000 steps (7K walk), which represents the distance many women and girls in developing countries travel every day to reach the basic necessities of life, such as water.

Vancouver

IWD Celebration at Bandidas Taqueria

Thursday, March 8, 2018 – As a thriving women-owned business, Bandidas Taqueria, a restaurant on Vancouver’s Commercial Drive, will donate 100% of its profits to local organizations which serve women. It will also launch an art show highlighting feminist themes, which will run until April 21^st, 2018.

Victoria

IWD 8th Annual Luncheon

Thursday, March 8, 2018 – This lunch event will include inspiring keynote speakers Tracy Porteous, Executive Director of Ending Violence BC, and JR LaRose, of CFL and BC Lions fame, and the “Be More Than a Bystander” spokesman, to address the cause of ending violence against women.

Calgary

IWD Time to Unite

Thursday, March 8, 2018 – Calling all change makers to unite and celebrate women who are making their mark, as they tell their stories, and speak their truths in the name of equality, justice and peace.

IWD Changing Lives Celebration

Thursday, March 8, 2018 – Event highlights include a spectacular fashion show by “Making Changes”, a community of women helping women and teenage girls through life’s transitions, by providing them with skills and resources to support their pursuit of meaningful work. Enjoy musical performances by local artists.

Lethbridge

IWD Film Screening of The Breadwinner

Thursday, March 8, 2018 – Attend an all-ages screening of the movie “The Breadwinner”, about an 11-year old girl, named Parvana, living under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Following the unjust arrest of her father, she cuts off her hair and dresses in boy’s clothing to help support her family. Parvana discovers a whole new world of freedom and danger.

Saskatoon

IWD Film Screening of Driving with Selvi

Thursday, March 8, 2018 – Watch this epic film, a 2016 Yorkton Film Festival winner, about a former child bride named Selvi. Escaping a violent marriage, she becomes South India’s first female taxi driver. In this years-long journey, Selvi defies expectations and creates a new life of hope.

Winnipeg

IWD West-Central Women’s Resource Centre Celebration

Thursday, March 8, 2018 – Join the Women’s Resource Centre for cake and share messages with woman around the globe on their message board, and share your stories of inspirational women, to be displayed at the centre.

Toronto

IWD Empowerment is an Inside Job

Sunday, March 4, 2018 – International Women’s Day is about unity, reflection, advocacy and action. This group continues to grow from strength to strength. Join the celebration including exhibitors, speakers and door prizes.

Montreal – Toronto – Kingston

IWD Pins for Progress – It Takes Balls to Be a Woman

Thursday, March 8, 2018 – Bowling, anyone? Join an event organized by Bangladeshi-Canadian women, who envision a world in which all girls and women, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, income level, or social status, are nurtured and empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Happy International Women’s Day!

Canadians Join Estonians around the Globe in Celebration!

It was 100 years ago, on February 24, 1918, that Estonia was proclaimed as a democratic and independent republic. The centenary is real cause for celebration, and a perfect opportunity for Estonians to unite in their efforts to build a brighter future, together.

The first celebration of Estonian Independence Day in Tallinn, Estonia on February 24, 1919. Source: Wikipedia

The Flag Shop congratulates Estonians across Canada and around the globe on reaching this important milestone. On Saturday, February 24 at sunrise, the Estonian flag will be raised in locations across Estonia, to commemorate and celebrate 100 years of independence.

Estonia 100 centenary week brings Estonia’s 100th anniversary celebrations across the country and beyond! Source: Estonia 100

The Estonia Flag
The Estonian flag was officially adopted on May 8, 1990. The blue symbolizes loyalty, and beautiful blue skies, seas and lakes. The black represents oppression of the past and fertile soil. The white reflects virtue, as well as Estonia’s struggle for independence and freedom. How important is the symbolism of the flag to Estonians? It’s important enough to have an actual word for their flag: “sinimustvalge”, which literally means, “blue-black-white.”

Image Source: Estonia 100

Estonian Valtrik Pihl, a Helsinki-based construction worker from Paide, knitted a huge, 160-square metre (1,722-square ft) flag as a gift for Estonia’s centenary, celebrated this year. Source: Estonian World

The large knitted Estonian flag is currently displayed at the Estonian National Museum. Source: Estonian National Museum

Did You Know That in Estonia…?
1. …swinging is BIG!
Estonians take swinging very seriously! In a sport called “kiiking”, invented in the 1990s by a man named Ado Kosk, swingers attach themselves to giant steel swings and rotate 360°, while swinging! This gives new meaning to the phrase, “in full swing!”

2. …people vote online.
Estonia was the first country in the entire world to adopt online voting. They’ve been clicking and tapping to vote since 2007.

3. …craft beer is everywhere.
There’s been a beer revolution in the last few years, taking a popular home-brewing hobby to a way to earn a living! As it turns out, the cost of alcohol in Estonia is lower than its Scandinavian neighbors, so people are known to travel to Estonia just for a beer!

4. …there are only three major cities.
The cities of Tallinn, Tartu and Narva are the only ones with populations of more than 50,000.

5. …space food was first developed.
Space food had its beginnings in a factory located in the town of Põltsamaa, in Estonia, in 1962. This food was produced and packaged specifically for use in space travel.

6. …Skype was born.
Estonians take credit for the invention of Skype. It’s a pretty big deal, and some have been known to joke that the blue in their national flag actually symbolizes the blue in the Skype logo.

7. …the population is mostly female.
Estonia’s population has more women than men. For every 100 females in Estonia, there are 84 males, – which is very unusual – and second only to the Northern Mariana Islands (a commonwealth of the USA).

8. …they have a huge national song festival called “Laulupidu.”
This festival is among the largest choral events in the world. Can you just imagine a joint choir of over 30,000 singers performing for an audience of 80,000?

9. …there is a very high rate of literacy.
Estonia has one of the highest adult literacy rates in the world. Reading in Estonia’s official language, (called Eesti Keele in Estonian), sounds pretty tough to us!

Don’t Forget Your “Sinimustvalge!”
With so much to celebrate, The Flag Shop is here to help you express your Estonian pride! All Flag Shops across Canada carry Estonian flags in a variety of sizes, as well as lapel pins, crests, and decals. If you’re looking for a particular item, let us know, because we think you’d be surprised to learn what we have in our warehouse!

For information about 100th Anniversary celebrations in your area, or to attend, check out the links below:

Toronto:
Estonian Independence Gala
EV100 Juubelipidu Torontos

Hamilton:
EV 100 Anniversary Ball

Montreal:
Estonia’s Independence 100th Anniversary

Ottawa:
Estonia’s 100th birthday celebrations

Vancouver:
Estonia 100th Independence Day Ball

Congratulations to all Estonians across Canada, and around the globe!

2018: Celebrating the Year of the Dog

Chinese New Year is celebrated by 1/5 of the world’s population, and is a vacation week in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Singapore. Although Chinese New Year takes place in the middle of winter, it is also known as the Spring Festival because it marks the end of the coldest days of winter. It is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts, when Asians around the world settle their differences, make up, and reconnect with acquaintances of the past.

“Chunyun” – The Largest Human Migration in the World
In the period leading up to Chinese New Year, China and other parts of Asia see extreme numbers of people traveling, taking a break from their work or studies to be with family for New Year’s Eve dinner. This well-known period, called “Chunyun”, usually begins 15 days before New Year’s Day and lasts for weeks afterwards. During this time, Asians take billions of trips by land, air, rail, and sea, in the largest annual migration in the world.

Hangzhou East railway station located in Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China, began its operations in 1992 and was rebuilt as a high-speed rail hub in 2010. It’s now one of the largest railway stations in Asia.

The Chinese Zodiac – Which Animal Are You?
The Chinese zodiac involves a 12-year cycle, with a specific animal representing each year. According to Chinese mythology, the origin of the zodiac resulted from a great race between the animals. The specific order of the zodiac is based on how each of the animals performed in the race. 2018 is the Year of the Dog. Those born this year are described as clever, loyal, heroic, responsible, lively, and courageous. Which animal are you? Find your birth year on the list below:

Year of the Rat: The Rat is generous, imaginative and charming.
2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960

Year of the Ox: The Ox is conservative, confident, and a born leader.
2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961

Year of the Tiger: The Tiger is sensitive, emotional and capable of great love.
2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962

Year of the Rabbit: The Rabbit is kind, affectionate and pleasant.
2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963

Year of the Dragon: The Dragon is a gifted perfectionist, enthusiastic and popular.
2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964

Year of the Snake: The Snake is intuitive, deep-thinking and wise.
2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965

Year of the Horse: The Horse is friendly, independent and hardworking.
2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966

Year of the Goat: The Goat is artistic, elegant and charming.
2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967

Year of the Monkey: The Monkey is intelligent, with a magnetic personality, and well-liked.
2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968

Year of the Rooster: The Rooster is a dreamer, a decision-maker and a flashy dresser.
2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969

Year of the Dog: The Dog is courageous, loyal and heroic.
2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970

Year of the Pig: The Pig is honest, sincere and tolerant.
2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971

New Year’s Red Envelopes
Gifts are exchanged during the Spring Festival and children receive red envelopes containing lucky money. Giving red envelopes symbolizes the sharing of good fortune from the elders to the younger generation. Red envelopes are also given between friends, bosses, employees, and co-workers.

Canadians Celebrate Chinese New Year
There are many events planned across Canada and we have lots of products to make your Chinese New Year celebrations unforgettable! It’s impossible to name all the events and celebrations, so here’s a quick peek at what’s going on across the country:

In Vancouver, there are a number of events planned, including the 45th Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade on February 18, and the Gold Ocean Lunar Fest Mingle 2018 on February 17th. Highlights of this event include a Chinese Couture fashion show, tea ceremony, waist drumming, and Chinese calligraphy.

Vancouver Chinese New Year Parade 2017. Image Source: Samir D / 604 Now

In Calgary, the Chinese Cultural Centre Association will hold its Chinese New Year Festival 2018 on February 17th and 18th. There will be something for everyone, including special performances of traditional lion and dragon dancing, martial arts demonstrations, and colourful Chinese lantern displays.

Calgary Chinese New Year Festival 2017. Image Source: Goldenjade Photography

In Toronto, the Chinatown BIA will host its Chinese New Year Celebration on February 17th and 18th. The event promises traditional games, food, dancing, as well as fortune telling.

Toronto Chinese New Year Celebration 2017. Image Source: Toronto Chinatown BIA

For more information or to attend these events – or others in your community – take a look at the links below:

Vancouver
Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver
Gold Ocean Lunar Fest Mingle 2018
Lunar New Year Festival – Vancouver / Richmond

Calgary
Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre

Toronto
Chinatown BIA

Edmonton
Edmonton Chinatown Multi-Cultural Centre

Montreal
How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Montreal
Celebrate Chinese New Year in Montreal 2018

Ottawa
Chinatown Ottawa

Planning your own event? We’d love to help! At The Flag Shop, we’ve been helping our clients celebrate Chinese New Year for over 45 years, with a variety of offerings to help you ring in the New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year!

We carry many Chinese flag products, such as paper flags, stick flags, and tattoos.

Canadian Olympic Gold, FIFA Fever and Cadets Centenary

In 2017, Canadians joined together to celebrate one of the most important milestones in Canada’s history: Canada’s 150th birthday. Now that it’s over, some may wonder how we’re ever going to top such an amazing and important year. Everyone at The Flag Shop is pumped up about what lies ahead for 2018. Whether international, national, or regional events, there are so many things happening!

So, what is going on this year? We polled our Flag Shops across Canada and asked for their help. Together, we came up with our Top 3, highlighting events we thought would be among the most important to Canadians:

Image Source: Canadian Olympic Team Official Website

#1) Winter Olympics – Feb 9th to 25th
The 2018 Winter Olympics – officially known as the XXIII Olympic Winter Games – are coming up quickly in PyeongChang, South Korea. We all know the thrill of watching the opening ceremonies, and experience heart-pounding pride in our nation as we see our beautiful flag being waved on the world stage. Get ready to cheer on the best of the best in winter sports, including figure skating, ski jumping, bobsleigh, snowboarding, and of course, Canada’s national winter sport: ice hockey. Predictions for the games include Team Canada bringing home a whopping 33 medals. Whether you’re rooting for Canada, Kosovo, Croatia or Korea, don’t miss your chance to wave your nation’s flag. Follow us on Facebook as we share updates and medals standings. For more information about the XXIII Olympic Winter Games, visit their official website.

Winter Paralympics – March 9th to 18th
The Winter Paralympics – officially called the XII Paralympic Winter Games will begin a couple of weeks after the closing ceremonies of the Winter Games, and will include sports such as ice sledge hockey, biathlon and snowboarding. Throughout the games, there will be a total of 80 exciting medal events. For more information about the XII Paralympic Winter Games, please visit their official website.

Image Source: FIFAWorldCup2014-18.com

#2) FIFA World Cup – June 14th to July 15th
Whether you like to call it soccer or football, mark your calendars for FIFA World Cup, Russia 2018. Get swept up in the excitement of the games as 32 national teams participate in 64 matches, including two first-timers: Iceland and Panama. The games will reach a frenzied state of “FIFA Fever” leading up to the final match on July 15, at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. FIFA fan polls are purely speculative, but teams such as Spain, Argentina, Italy, Brazil and Germany are all believed to be contenders for the cup. Get your team’s flag on and join fans around the world as we all stand behind our favorite team! For match schedules and more, visit the FIFA World Cup – Russia 2018 official website.

Top: Celebrating 100 years of Sea Cadets. Bottom: Niagara Falls Sea Cadets – 1947. Image Source: Navy League of Ontario – Ontario Division.

#3) Navy League of Canada Ontario Division Centenary – April 2018
In 1917, Reverend J. Russell McLean of the Ontario Division of the Navy League of Canada helped establish a group of Toronto Sea Scouts as a Boys Naval Brigade. This was the beginning of what is known today as the Sea Cadet Movement. The Navy League Cadet program aims to help young Canadians learn life skills such as team work, and leadership. Today, there are more than 3,500 active Navy League Cadets in 102 communities across Canada. The Ontario division of the Navy League of Canada commemorated its 100th anniversary last year and final celebrations are planned to take place at its 2018 Annual General Meeting, in Markham, Ontario in April. To learn more, visit the Navy League of Canada – Ontario Division website.

Stay tuned for our upcoming blogs, as we feature more exciting and important events as the year unfolds.

Happy New Year! 

We made it through 2017, and what a year it was for all Canadians! We came together and celebrated the greatest milestone – our 150th anniversary – in our nation’s history! We all share the privilege of living in the best country in the world. Canada is known for freedom, democracy, compassion, opportunity, innovation, and peace. Since Confederation, Canada has grown and achieved so much, and so the year-long celebrations gave us plenty of opportunity to consider and appreciate what it means to be Canadian.

Everyone from The Flag Shops across Canada was thrilled to support Canada 150 celebrations and events which took place from coast to coast to coast, throughout the entire year. It didn’t stop at Canada 150, either – we worked with co-ops, municipalities, the entertainment industry, community outreach organizations, and on relief projects, to name just a few.

We took so much joy in being able to fulfill our purpose to connect, make a positive difference, and bring meaning to the events and projects of our clients. We love serving our community, and as we look ahead to 2018, we know it will be all about “more is better!” More connecting, more laughter, more new ideas, more wine, more change, more fun, more sleep, more courage, more friendships, and more dreams realized!

Our President, Susan Braverman said, “While I have never been someone who declares personal resolutions at this time of year, I can tell you that I have lofty visions for 2018.” She added, “As we say good-bye to the old and usher in the new, I am excited and full of anticipation about what 2018 will bring for my clients, my family, and my entire Flag Shop team!”

This year, we hope to strengthen our connections with our readers. In particular, our blog will feature products and services to support nation-wide events.  Whatever the occasion, whatever the plan, we will be ready to contribute to the purpose of your projects to bring deeper meaning and impact.

Cheers to 2018 – a year to do and be more!

The Meaning of Kwanzaa

As we wrap up our special “Home for the Holidays” series, we feature Kwanzaa, which takes place every year from December 26 to January 1. Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration honouring African traditions and cultural heritage. It was started by Maulana Karenga in 1966, following the violent Watts riots in Los Angeles, California. Karenga believed it was important for African Americans to have an occasion to commemorate their cultural heritage, and thus created Kwanzaa as an alternative to existing holidays. Kwanzaa is a Swahili word that translates to English as, “first fruits from the harvest.” Though Kwanzaa has roots in the Black Nationalist Movement, it has grown to hold meaning as a time for all people to reflect on and celebrate African American and pan-African traditions and heritage.

Image Source: fitsnews.com

The Principles of Kwanzaa
There are seven principles of Kwanzaa, which reflect the importance of community, while helping to create a better world. It’s no surprise that we at The Flag Shop can easily identify with these principles, which focus on community, social responsibility and creativity.

umoja
Meaning: unity
Action: building a community that holds together

kujichagulia
Meaning: self-determination
Action: speaking for yourself and making choices that benefit the community

ujima
Meaning: collective work and responsibility
Action: helping others within the community

ujamaa
Meaning: cooperative economics
Action: supporting businesses that care about the community

nia
Meaning: a sense of purpose
Action: setting goals that benefit the community

kuumba
Meaning: creativity
Action: making the community better and more beautiful

imani
Meaning: faith
Action: believing that a better world can be created for communities now and in the future

There are many symbols of Kwanzaa, including the unity cup, representing community; fruits or crops, representing productivity; seven candles, representing the seven principles, and the Bendera flag, made up of the colours black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope resulting from the struggle. Joyous Kwanzaa!

As we wrap up our series on holiday traditions and celebrations, we wish peace and joy to you and yours over the holidays, and the best of everything in 2018!

We loved serving our community, clients, customers and friends throughout 2017, and we look forward to connecting again in the new year!