The Netherlands

Celebrations from Around the Globe

Below is a glimpse of celebrations honoring the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb in many localities across the country

The Netherlands

Children in Haarlem, Netherlands, celebrate the bicentenary

Children of a children’s class in Haarlem, Netherlands, invite their families and friends to a festival to commemorate the bicentenary. Celebrations included a collective art piece, songs, and storytelling of the life of the Báb.

The Netherlands

Artwork exhibited in Arnhem, Netherlands

Inspired by the life of the Báb, an artist created this series of paintings that are currently exhibited in Arnhem, Netherlands. The motives depict landmarks—such as the orange tree in the gardens surrounding the Shrine of the Báb—as well as His station as a Messenger of God.

The Netherlands

Remembering the heroism of Táhirih in theater

In honor of the bicentenary, a play about the life of Táhirih was staged in Nijmegen, Netherlands.

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Celebrations in Purmerend, Netherlands, commemorate the bicentenary with a variety of activity

Purmerend, Netherlands, celebrates the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb with music, theater, dance, and conversation about the impact of the Bahá’í Teachings on the community building process.

The Netherlands

A series of stamps honors the twin Founders of the Bahá’í Faith

In The Netherlands, a stamp has been created to honor the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb. The design includes a calligraphic rendering of the words “In the name of God, the Glorious, the Most Glorious” in the form of a bird of paradise. This stamp follows a similar piece created two years ago to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh.

The Netherlands

Exhibition focuses on humanity’s achievements during lifetime of the Báb

An exhibition in Steggerda, Netherlands, focused on humanity’s achievements during the lifetime of the Báb. Its open space invited visitors to explore the potent time of the early 19th century in relation to the emergence of the Revelation of the Báb. Afterward, people stayed for further conversations to explore these themes.

The Netherlands

Artwork inspired by the bicentenary

These works created by an artist in Heemskerk, Netherlands, include a calligraphy of the Arabic phrase “Alláh’u’Abhá” or “God is the All Glorious” and a second work titled, “Gate to the Future” evoking the mission of the Báb.

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Starting a class for children to celebrate the bicentenary

This special period motivated a community in Zwolle, Netherlands, to open a class for the spiritual and moral education of children. Fittingly, their first session was spent celebrating the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb. The class had a meditative program, discussions on the Báb’s teachings, and a crafts session as well as a screening of the film Dawn of the Light followed by a reflection with parents on the meaning of the film.

The Netherlands

In Utrecht, children and their parents celebrate the bicentenary

Children and their parents in Utrecht, Netherlands, celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb. The celebration includes creative activities such as dance and making gift bags of lavender from the garden of Europe’s Bahá’í House of Worship in Langenhain, Germany.

The Netherlands

A community in the Netherlands hosts a screening of Dawn of the Light in Arabic

A vibrant neighborhood celebration in Maarssen, Netherlands, welcomed individuals from several different countries. In an effort to befittingly honor the Báb, prayers were offered and a section of the film Dawn of the Light in Arabic was screened. A distinct spirit of unity was discernible amongst those who gathered affirming the conviction that one’s identity as a member of the human race has precedence before other identities and associations.

The Netherlands

Youth create artwork symbolizing unity

A group of youth in the Hague, Netherlands, came together to create collective artwork for the bicentenary celebration. Drawing on the theme of unity, each youth painted a piece which they then brought together in a collective piece. A spirit of unity underscored the process of creating the artwork and the final piece.

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Celebrating the bicentenary in Utrecht, Netherlands

In commemoration of the bicentenary, friends in Utrecht, Netherlands, gather for a joyful evening where the youth speak about the community building activities they are engaged in.

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Creating music for national bicentenary reception

A group of musicians in the Netherlands put the Bahá’í writings into songs and plan to perform them during a bicentenary reception hosted by the national community.

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Mosaic portrays the city gate of Shíráz

This mosaic piece, made in Almere, Netherlands, in honor of the bicentenary, portrays the dawn of a new day at the gate of Shíráz, Iran.

The Netherlands

European House of Worship attracts Dutch community for prayers and bicentenary preparations

A large group of friends from the Netherlands started their bicentenary preparations with prayers and consultations at the continental Bahá’í House of Worship for Europe in Langenhain, Germany. People of all ages met in the Temple’s serene gardens to discuss how the different celebrations would take shape.

The Netherlands

Devotional music from the Netherlands

This song is often sung during devotional gatherings in the Netherlands. The title words, inspired by the Bahá’í Writings, serve as an invitation to immerse oneself into the Holy Words.

The Netherlands

Youth in the Netherlands put to music a Hidden Word of Bahá’u’lláh

In the Netherlands, youth and young adults have been intensifying their activities in the lead-up to the bicentenary as part of a Summer of Service initiative. In this video, some of the participants put to music a selection from one of the Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh: “Lift up thy head from slumber, for the Sun hath risen to the zenith, haply it may shine upon thee with the light of beauty.”