2024 Multifaith Calendar - Reclaiming Our Happiness
Proudly celebrating its 38th year, the 2024 Multifaith Calendar's theme is ‘Reclaiming Our Happiness'
Published by the Multifaith Action Society (MAS), the Multifaith Calendar (MFC) is a unique educational resource that facilitates understanding of religious occasions and festivals integral to a wide spectrum of cultural and faith communities.
The 12-month, full-sized wall Multifaith Calendar offers insight into the world's major faiths - a window that gives not only accurate information on each of the major holidays and festivals, including their dates and significance, but detailed historical information of these faiths and their relationship to time – giving us a better understanding of many varied cultures.
The MFC is also a carefully selected collection of art work. Each year a theme is chosen and artists from across North America as well as Internationally submit art for consideration. We are proud to say that these images are original works from a wide variety of visual artists.
Reclaiming Our Happiness...
Over the course of the past few years we have endured a series of unprecedented global urgencies, and many of us now feel a burning passion - whether newfound or reinvigorated - to help affect positive change on a grand scale. And yet, before we can effectively tackle the many and monolithic issues of the day, we have a responsibility to check in with ourselves and engage in some 'inner housekeeping', as it were - to clarify our answers to some seemingly simple, yet fundamentally important questions. Perhaps most importantly of all, "What makes me happy?"
Whether it's gazing up a beautiful sunset on a warm summer evening, welcoming a newborn child into the world, or the excitement of exploring a new place, everyone can fondly recall a moment in which they felt truly happy. But how, after having endured the hardships of the last few years, can we bring ourselves to not only inhabit, but ultimately embody that feeling? To elevate ourselves to a place where we can inspire feelings of joy in others, and move forward with assurance that we're ready and able to affect positive the change we so sorely need.
We have come through a pandemic, are facing disastrous climate change and praying for peace. Although recognizing the importance of things we need to now look to the future and reclaim our happiness. How do you make others happy? What makes you feel good inside? Does happiness mean beautiful sunsets in nature or little children laughing? Look inside and see what will make us smile once again and continue to build hope for the future.2024 MFC cover artist: ERanu Chakrabory : 'Hapiness'
'It is said that staring at a tree reduces anxiety. In nature, we find ourselves. We connect to our originality, our creator. I find my freedom within nature, where I go back to my childhood. I don't have to worry about anything, my true happiness.'
...Ranu Chakraborty
Watercolour on paper; 12" x 16"
Artist's Bio...
Ranu Chakraborty is an Indian-born artist with a Fine Art Degree and a Diploma from Vancouver Film School. With over 25 years of experience as an artist in her native India, she now calls Richmond, BC home.
She discovered paper sculpture and mastered this unique medium, exhibiting her work across India and Canada. Ranu also has a passion for acrylic, pencil, and watercolour.
She has shown her diverse talents in various exhibitions, including the Harmony Art Festival and galleries in Langley, Port Moody, Surrey, South Delta, New Westminster and Richmond.
