Canada

Youthful energy permeates neighborhood in Toronto

In a neighborhood of Toronto, Canada, young people engaged in community-building efforts host a number of festivals for youth and children that inspire greater appreciation of some spiritual principles, such as unity and service to society. These youth have especially intensified their activities during this period.

Evening of artistic presentations

A group of artists in Charlottetown, Canada has been collaborating over the past several months to learn about the mission of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, creating inspired art works that give expression to the teachings of these Twin Luminaries. This culminated in the Unity of Humanity Arts Festival.

Children contribute to neighborhood celebration in Toronto

A joyous neighborhood bicentenary celebration took place in Toronto, Canada, engaging children in a program that featured music, storytelling, and crafts.

Diversity of community reflected in joyful and unified celebration

A deeply joyful and unified spirit marked a gathering held in Burnaby, Canada. The celebration, which reflected the diversity of cultures and peoples in the community, included a traditional dance, a performance by children and youth, and other artistic presentations.

Neighborhood celebration incorporates the arts

Those gathered at a community celebration in Airdrie, Canada, draw on their artistic talents to depict significant moments and landmarks in the history of the Bahá’í Faith.

Artists collaborate to record album marking bicentenary

Artists from Canada and Australia have come together to record a new album of songs to mark the bicentenary, drawing from the Bahá’í writings as well original lyrics.

Community inspired through an evening of storytelling

The Victoria community bicentennial celebration featured readers who guided guests through a series of themes: the greatness of this day; the life of Bahá'u'lláh; the anticipation of His Revelation; His teachings; and the effects of His Revelation on social progress over the past 200 years. A reverent and meditative atmosphere was enhanced with imagery, decoration, music, and spoken word poetry. The venue also featured a display of recently created paintings which depicted the sacred places Bahá’u’lláh had lived while in exile.

Young people contributing to social progress

Communities across Canada are commemorating this precious period. In the lead up to the bicentenary, children and youth had been preparing through Baha'i educational programs that build capacity for service to society. Now, youth are carrying out a number of activities related to the wellbeing of their communities, including neighborhood and roadside clean-ups, planting flowers in school gardens, and a bake sale to raise funds for a local children’s hospital. The devotional life of their communities is enhanced through special occassions for neighbours and families to pray together.

Local celebration sparks conversation about unity

A neighborhood bicentenary celebration in Toronto, Canada, brought together families from diverse backgrounds. Children performed, prayers were shared, and a film on the life of the Báb and His teachings was screened. Participants read extracts of the recent message from the Universal House of Justice, which generated rich conversations on how unity can be strengthened in their community.

Art exhibition displays paintings inspired by the bicentenary

An art exhibition in Montreal, Canada, displays one artist’s reflections, captured in paintings, on the life and teachings of the Báb. “I was always very inspired by (the Báb’s early writings), the way that the calligraphy was placed on the page, the expression in the line,” the artist explains. The works are inspired by different concepts, such as devotion to God and the relationship between the intellect and the spirit.