Second World War buffs know that VE Day, aka Victory in Europe Day, is celebrated on May 7 in Commonwealth countries.

That’s because this is the day in 1945 when Germany formally surrendered to Allied forces in Rheims, France. It came a week after Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his Berlin bunker.

The end of the war inspired a grassroots group in Frankfurt, Germany, to launch a movement in 2003 to support health and wellness every May 7.

Called “Winspiration Day”, it has spread to different cities. This year, it will be celebrated in Vancouver for the first time.

That’s because the nonprofit Winspiration Association selected former Vancity executive Doris Orr as one of its global hosts. In addition to The Power of Food Author Adam Hart, the event at the Vancouver Orpheum Annex on Saturday (May 7) will include a presentation by Lucila McElroy, cofounder of the Gratitude Graffiti Project and administrative director of Kadampa Meditation Centre Vancouver. Dr. Divi Chandna, a family physician and mind-body-spirit-medicine coach, will also speak at Winspiration Vancouver.

“Our guest speakers for this inaugural event in Vancouver all share the commonality that healing and happiness is achievable by tapping into our own resources,” Orr said in a news release announcing the lineup. “They address some of the problems that are prevalent in society like depression, stress, anxiety, chronic pain and food allergies and offer solutions. My goal is that everyone attending will come away inspired and with tools they can use for success and wellness in their lives.”