Michael Lecchino, a resident of Montreal, shares his passion for flags and the meaningful experiences they bring. Learn more about CBC’s First Person stories here.
From a young age, I was captivated by the diversity of flags, not just as symbols of nations but as intricate designs to decode. My fascination with vexillology, the study of flags, began at three when I first encountered a book featuring national flags.
Discerning the subtle differences between flags like Luxembourg and the Netherlands or Slovenia and Slovakia thrilled me. It’s like unraveling a visual puzzle encoded in colors, shapes, and symbols.
Every morning, the sight of the Canadian flag outside my family’s kitchen window in Montreal evokes a sense of familiarity and identity that has been a constant presence since my childhood.
During my participation in the G7 Youth Summit in Berlin in May 2022, a simple gesture involving a “friendship flag” pin from a Canadian diplomat deepened my connection to representing my country and embodying its values on a global stage.
While flags have the power to unite, they also carry complex meanings and histories. They can evoke pride, grief, and controversy, but I choose to embrace the Canadian flag as a symbol of listening and understanding.
The story behind Canada’s flag, born out of fierce debates and national identity struggles, reflects a collective effort to create a symbol that embodies simplicity, symbolism, and recognition, making it one of the most well-designed national flags worldwide.
Flags, beyond their national significance, hold personal connections and stories that transcend boundaries, fostering human connections and shared experiences that shape relationships and memories.
My admiration for flags goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about the stories, emotions, and connections they represent, reminding me of where I come from and the diverse experiences that have woven into my identity.
Collecting friendship flag pins as mementos of my international travels and representing Canada at various summits allows me to carry a piece of my identity and heritage wherever I go, serving as a reminder of the places I’ve visited and the stories I’ve encountered.
Flags, to me, are not just symbols; they are narratives intertwined with emotions and memories that signify presence, belonging, and self-awareness in a world marked by diversity and unity.
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