Dear readers of the Newsletter of the German Consulate in Vancouver,

November has arrived, and slowly but surely, the year 2025 is drawing to a close. The joys of autumn — the Indian Summer, Thanksgiving, and the gentle light — are behind us, and the darker time of the year is approaching. It is a season for reflection: a time to look back on the months that have passed, to remember those who have left, and to keep in our thoughts friends and family members who are no longer with us. In mid-November, we celebrate Remembrance Day here in Canada and Volkstrauertag (National Day of Mourning) in Germany. On the last Sunday before Advent, Germans celebrate Totensonntag (Sunday of the Dead). November is a time of transition — from the light of summer to the quiet anticipation of Advent and the new year that lies ahead.

Some might say that this season feels grey or somber, but I believe it holds its own quiet beauty. It offers us a chance for peace and contemplation — a moment to rest our minds, to find comfort after the challenges of the year, and to think about ourselves, our loved ones, and what truly matters in life. We all need this time of calm to restore our spirits and prepare to welcome the joy and warmth of the Christmas season and the coming year.

My colleagues and I wish you all the best for this reflective time of year. May you enjoy the company of family and friends, find moments of peace, and look back on the past months with gratitude and fond memories.

Warm regards,
Marc Eichhorn
Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Vancouver