Last October 20th to 22nd (from sunset to sunset), millions of Bahá'is and their friends all around the world celebrated the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh, the Founder of the Bahá'i Faith. Many communities have been planning and preparing for this since a year ago...because the bicentennial anniversary is more than just a get-together or a single event. It's beyond that. It's about inviting our friends, our family, strangers to
"seize the opportunity to find out who Bahá'u'lláh was and what He represents".
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| www.bahai.org |
In Manila and Makati, we celebrated almost the same way as last year, but with a few more activities example we held a photos and books exhibition at the Regional Bahá'i Center. For a whole month, leading up to the celebration weekend, my role revolved around coordinating the documentation of the celebrations all around the Philippines. That meant reaching out to Bahá'is in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to learn about their plans, to share photo guidelines with them, and find ways to receive their photos immediately after their celebrations not only to share on our official Facebook page Bahá'i Faith in the Philippines but also to share a select few on the newly launched bicentenary website of the World Center www.bicentenary.bahai.org
Playing that middle-role, of receiving then sharing, was a very unique experience.
I really felt like I was a part of the celebrations everywhere. It helped me improve on my knowledge of Philippine geography. I was so touched by the very unique and creative ways each community celebrated - in the North I received photos of the friends gathered outside a house, where you can see the hills and farms and fields behind them. You also see an older population. In Southern Luzon you see more of an urban life/setting. In Visayas, you see more intimate celebrations inside homes. In Mindanao you see lots of young ones - children and junior youths, so most communities down south held children's festivals! But through all the celebrations, you see photos of heads bowed down in prayers and devotions, you see faces of children and adults beaming with joy and gladness as they perform songs and dances that echo Bahá'u'lláh's teachings of love and unity.
I really felt like I was a part of the celebrations everywhere. It helped me improve on my knowledge of Philippine geography. I was so touched by the very unique and creative ways each community celebrated - in the North I received photos of the friends gathered outside a house, where you can see the hills and farms and fields behind them. You also see an older population. In Southern Luzon you see more of an urban life/setting. In Visayas, you see more intimate celebrations inside homes. In Mindanao you see lots of young ones - children and junior youths, so most communities down south held children's festivals! But through all the celebrations, you see photos of heads bowed down in prayers and devotions, you see faces of children and adults beaming with joy and gladness as they perform songs and dances that echo Bahá'u'lláh's teachings of love and unity.
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| Bagong Sikat, Nueva Ecija |
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| Upland, Mindoro |
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| Aborlan, Palawan. Constructing a shed for the celebration |
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| Kisolon, Sumilao |
As for the rest of the world, the bicentenary website featured live celebrations from our 7 continental Houses of Worship, and from different cities.
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| Honduras |
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| In Rwanda, a bicentenary celebration programme included the traditional Intore dance. |
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| Canada |
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Click here to see more! From Bolivia to Sweden to the Gambia to Jordan to Azerbaijan to Nepal and Pakistan to Japan to the Solomon Islands.
Also more stories here:
I don't think the world has even been so united as it was during those 48 hours. Can you just picture this?! Last weekend's celebrations are proofs and evidences that unity in diversity is possible! People from indigenous tribes, from different religious backgrounds, from children to seniors, from farmers to hollywood stars (check out Andy Grammer's beautiful performance at the bicentennial celebrations in Los Angeles)... they can all reconcile our differences and come together under one roof. Bahá'u'lláh teaches us that:
"Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. He Who is the Daystar of Truth beareth Me witness! So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth."
and
"The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens... It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world."
Another highlight of the celebrations was the bicentenary film "Light to the World" which was released on October 18th. It was shown at almost every single celebration all across the globe - either on that weekend of a few days after.
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| watch the film here: http://www.bahai.org/light-to-the-world/ |
This film really moved me in ways I cannot fully describe. The best way I can put it is "I was born into a Bahá'i family, so I've listened to and read stories about Bahá'u'lláh my entire life. But after watching this film, it was as if I unlearned and
relearned my Faith.
It was a very humbling experience."
On top of everything, my greatest
take-away from the weeks leading up until the celebrations themselves are the
strong bonds of friendship all the Manila, Makati and Taguig friends built.
From the making of my bicentennial video trailers, to the "fun for the
fund" fund raising activities, to visiting our respective Mayors, to
preparing the program, dinner menu and decorating the halls…we have all become
so close with each other. I remember during the weekend before the
celebrations, I did a little "thank you" speech during which I broke
down in tears because I was so overwhelmed by how everyone cooperated, how
everyone was so selfless in their service and patient and kind during
consultations. The entire community worked so hard together, in the spirit of
joy and love. Makati and Taguig supported Manila's plans, and when Makati
finally decided to have its own celebration (just 2 weeks prior to the
bicentenary weekend), Manila was likewise 100% supportive. Working together
brought people out of their shells by giving them opportunities to use their
creative skills and contribute to the whole program. The celebrations of the
200th Birth Anniversary of the Blessed Beauty inspired all of us to strengthen
our relationships with one another and our service to one another.
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| The bunch who sang "Unite" by Ali Youseffi three days in a row |
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I'd love to hear from you! Send me a message through the contact box on the right side of the page -- What was your encounter with Bahá'u'lláh and His teachings?
How did the bicentenary celebrations impact you?