As the sun sets in Hawaii, it brings the bicentenary celebrations to a close

As the sun sets in Hawaii it brings to a close an extraordinary 72-hour period where the light of unity spread across the globe.

Radio talk show held in Kamdini, Uganda

As more and more people engage in celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Báb, the Bahá’í community of Kamdini, Uganda, participated in a local radio talk show to shed more light on the ongoing efforts.

Art explores the journey toward spiritual truth

This artwork from Wood Buffalo, Canada, explores the idea of the journey toward spiritual truth, much like the stages of growth from seed to fruit.

In Vanuatu, children share the story of the life of the Báb

On the island of Efate, Vanuatu, children shared the story of the life of the Báb at a community gathering.

Dawn of the Light screening in Korean movie theatre

About 100 people attended a screening of Dawn of the Light, a feature film produced for the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Bab, at a movie theatre in Seoul, Korea.

Healing prayer

The prayer revealed by Baha’u’llah, "Thy name is my healing" is sung by a youth in Samoa.

In Hungary, performance inspired by the Bahá’í writings

Members of the community in Gödöllo, Hungary, perform musical pieces, accompanied by cello and keyboard, to commemorate the bicentenary. The performance featured songs inspired by the Bahá’í Writings.

Maori bicentenary logo

In New Zealand, the bicentenary logo was stylized in a Maori design called kowhaiwhai. The logo uses a kowhai ngutukaka pattern—which symbolizes conversation, community and new beginning—and a mangopare pattern—which symbolizes strength and power. The whole logo itself, signifies the rising sun at dawn, referring to the Báb’s appearance as a Manifestation of God.

Cohorts of youth build capacity for service

Multiple communities in Sierra Leone have, in the lead-up to the bicentenary, assisted an increasing number of youth to participate in educational processes aimed at raising capacity to contribute to the progress of their villages and neighborhoods. Youth involved in conducting classes for the spiritual and moral education of children have been assisting the children to prepare presentations for the celebrations. The young students’ families and friends were invited to the commemorations.

Preparing the local Bahá’í center

The community in Yallahs, Jamaica, came together to prepare a local Bahá’í center in advance of the bicentenary celebrations taking place there. The youth, in particular, helped with beautifying the surrounding area and the center itself.

Celebration in Baku

The celebrations in Baku, Azerbaijan, have culminated in a formal event where people have come together to commemorate the Twin Birthdays of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.

A film created for the bicentenary explores the principle of the equality of women and men

This film prepared by the Bahá’í community of Tunisia describes how women around the world are empowered by the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh regarding the equality of women and men. The film, created in honor of the bicentenary, explores His analogy of humanity as being like a bird with two wings: one female and the other male; the completeness and perfection of the human world is dependent upon the equal development of these two wings.

Museum of Religious History honors the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb

In the city of Lviv, Ukraine, the Museum of Religious History decided to hold a photo exhibition in honor of the bicentenary. Photographs of the Báb’s Writings, clothing, personal belongings as well as historical sites associated with His personage are being displayed.

Lifting up their voices in song

The Bahá’í community of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, came together to celebrate the bicentenary in an event where participants of all ages sang about the principles of love, unity, and hope for humanity.

Bicentenary celebration provides occasion to discuss important role of women in society

A group of 45 women in Gandhinagar, India, gathered to learn about the lives of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh and about Their teachings. These discussions stimulated the group's exploration of that women make to social progress.

Musicians compose album inspired by Bahá’í Writings

The result of months of enthusiastic collaboration, Circle of Unity is an album honoring the momentous occasion of the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb. The album contains 13 tracks featuring different artists and genres and draws extensively from the Bahá’í Writings. The musicians hope that the album will serve as an instrument for collective worship in their community.

Paintings about oneness

This series of paintings, titled “the four sisters,” was created by an artist from Vancouver, Canada, who was inspired by the writings. It depicts four diverse women whom the artist describes as being “blind to each other’s differences and looking within themselves to see their oneness.”

String ensemble performs musical piece in celebration

A string quintet performs a musical piece in a celebration of the bicentenary in Qatar.

Dynamic local celebration in Palmas, Brazil

Musical and dramatic performances, intricate paintings, and shadow puppetry enrich the vibrant community celebration in Palmas, Brazil.

Building community in neighborhoods throughout Brazil

Children, youth, and adults are working together in neighborhoods throughout Brazil to contribute to the transformation of their communities. Through activities that promote education and incorporate the arts, diverse groups, welcoming participants of all backgrounds, gather regularly to build their capacity for service.

Songs of gratitude uplift celebrations

Music permeated a celebration in Mafikeng, South Africa, as a community came together to commemorate the birth of the Báb. Songs expressing gratitude to God led to those gathered to spontaneously break into dance.

Remembering the first Bahá’í in Norway

On the occasion of the bicentenary, a group of friends in Norway think about their place in history and remember the very first Bahá’í in their country Johanna Schubarth. Every Sunday morning, no matter the weather, they gather for prayers at her gravesite.

Neighborhood celebration in Ukraine

At a neighborhood celebration in Kiev, Ukraine, children and youth participated in a special program where they learned about the Báb and His mission through storytelling and crafts. The day before the celebration, youth from the neighborhood gathered together to share stories from the life of the Báb and study a message from the Universal House of Justice.

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.

A visual expression of the Bahá’í Sacred Writings

A digital artwork incorporates a passage from a prayer revealed by the Báb. The work was created as part of an art show held in Indianapolis, United States.

Poem about the Báb’s Message

In Istanbul, a poem was written about the new era ushered in by the Báb.

Short film from Samoa explores the Faith’s contributions to society

This short film, produced in honor of the bicentenary, tells the story of Samoa’s Bahá’í community and its present-day endeavors to contribute to the progress of society. The film opens with the words of Bahá’u’lláh revealed in honor of the birth of the Báb.

Meaningful conversations unfold during bicentenary celebration in Italy

The community in Brugherio, Italy, organized a bicentenary celebration that offered an opportunity for meaningful conversations, in addition to delicacies and uplifting music.

Artists in Canada record album to mark bicentenary

A group of artists in Canada have recorded an album of songs exploring the lives of the early heroes and heroines of the Faith to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Báb.

Pamphlet produced for bicentenary

This pamphlet, produced in Angola on the occasion of the bicentenary, describes the life and teachings of the Báb as well as the Bahá’í community’s endeavors to contribute to spiritual and material progress in that community.

A local celebration with a global backdrop

Decorating a section of their celebration venue with images of continental Bahá’í Houses of Worship across the globe and of the Bahá’í World Centre, friends and families in Bangui, Central African Republic, unite in prayer and song to commemorate the birth of the Báb.

Bicentenary celebrations marked by artistic performances

An event to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb in Kigali, Rwanda, incorporated beautifully choreographed musical and dance performances, attracting a wide audience.

Music links the two bicentenaries

Some 140 people attended a bicentenary celebration in the historic community center of Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. The program featured a brief presentation on the Herald of the Bahá’í Faith, the Báb, and the screening of a section of the film Dawn of the Light as well as a series of Czech folk dances by a children’s group and a performance of the choir that also performed at the bicentenary celebration of Bahá’u’lláh in 2017.

Youth in Morocco study about life’s purpose

In the lead-up to the bicentenary, youth in Morocco make a short film about their exploration of concepts about the nature of human beings and the purpose of life, using arts and music to further enrich their understanding.

In Sweden, a group of friends discuss the early history of the Bahá’í Faith

In Stockholm, Sweden, friends were invited to a home gathering to reflect on the history of the life of the Báb, as narrated by Nabíl-i-A’ẓam in The Dawn-Breakers.

Lively celebrations across Peru marked by music, dance, and children’s festival

In various localities across Peru, communities came together in lively and joyful gatherings with music and dance. One community in Manchay celebrated with a festival hosted by the community’s children.

Windhoek community celebrates with screening and music

A bicentenary celebration in Windhoek, Namibia draws a diverse group who watch Dawn of the Lightand discuss the efforts of the Bahá’í community to contribute to the progress of Namibian society. A touching acoustic performance includes a prayer of the Báb, “O God, my God, my Beloved, my heart’s Desire,” sung in Amharic.

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.

Joyous singing in gathering leading up to the celebrations

A group in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, met to share with each other how they have been learning to apply Bahá’í teachings in their lives and in their communities. Much joy and energy was generated from the discussion and expressed through music.

Digital artwork inspired by the bicentenary

An artist created a digital rendering of the Shrine of the Báb, with the inscription “two hundredth anniversary of the birth of the Báb” on one, and a passage from His Writings on the other.

A short film about Bahá’u’lláh

A short film made in Samoa narrates a significant story from the childhood of Bahá’u’lláh.

Musical composition in honor of the Báb

A musical piece, inspired by the life of the Báb, generates an atmosphere of serenity and joy at a gathering in Peru.

Hungarian Bahá’í choir prepares for bicentenary celebration

Members of the Hungarian Bahá’í Choir practice for the upcoming bicentenary celebration in Budapest.

Ensemble sings about truthfulness and honesty

At a bicentenary celebration in Florida, USA, a group of musicians perform a choral composition of a quotation by Bahá’u’lláh, “Beautify your tongues, O people, with truthfulness, and adorn your souls with the ornament of honesty.”

Community gathers to reflect on worship and service

In Kalbari, India, about 320 people gathered together to study and consult about how to enhance the spirit of collective worship and service in their village. Discussions were characterized by a spirit of devotion, and including a performance by the young people of the community.

Posters for bicentenary made at arts night

These brightly colored posters were lovingly prepared by a group of youth during an arts night in Yallahs, Jamaica.

Families enjoy musical celebration in Dar es Salaam

Around 250 people came together in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to celebrate the birth of the Báb, each one contributing to the warm and welcoming spirit that led to joyful collective song.

Báb’s Writings inspire creative paper craft for community arts festival

A collection of pieces, which symbolize the human form, have been created for an arts festival in Boroondara, Australia. The items are made using paper quilling, a technique that involves rolling and shaping strips of paper to create designs. The community event, commemorating the bicentenary, will feature a variety of media, including visual art, music, theater, and film.

Booklet about the Báb

The New Zealand Bahá’í community has produced a booklet about the Báb’s life and teachings as well as the community’s efforts in the country.

Outdoor celebration in a neighborhood in Mexico

A community in Guadalajara, Mexico, gathers to celebrate the bicentenary in a local neighborhood park. They take turns sharing remarks on the occasion and perform a traditional dance.

Musical event celebrates diversity and the bicentenary

To mark the upcoming bicentenary and honor the community’s diversity, about 120 people gathered in the town of Blaina, United Kingdom, to celebrate with musical performances. The gathering was also attended by local government officials. “What a wonderful way to bring people together in the spirit of love and unity through using the power of music and song,” one of the organizers said.

A gate decorated by children on the theme of love

As a reflection on the virtue of showing love to all people, children in Macedonia decorated a gate based on what they have learned. In the center of the gate is a quotation by Bahá’u’lláh: “O Friend! In the garden of thy heart, plant not but the rose of love…”

Painting of the Shrine of the Báb amid vibrant gardens

This painting of the Shrine of the Báb, showing the sacred edifice amid the vibrant terraced gardens on Mt. Carmel in Haifa, was painted by an artist in France.

Members of Australian Parliament honor bicentenary

The Australian House of Representatives congratulated the country’s Bahá’ís on bicentenary of the birth of the Báb, highlighting the Bahá’í community’s contributions to the life of society. One member of parliament began her comments with a passage from Bahá’u’lláh's Writings: “‘It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.’ That’s one of my favorite quotes, because it speaks to the universality of the human race unfettered by the imagined borders of nationhood and the constructed boundaries of race.”

Booklet on the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, Unity, printed in Japan

The Bahá’í community in Japan has published a booklet called Unity, providing information on the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, as well as a selection of Their prayers and writings.

A calligraphy of a prayer of the Báb

This calligraphic piece, made in Qatar, puts in beautiful script the following prayer of the Báb: “Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding!”

Multiculturalism website features Bahá’í community

A news website focused on cultural diversity highlighted Azerbaijan’s Bahá’ís, publishing an interview with a member of the community along with an article about the Faith on the multikultural.az website. The interviewer, the editor-in-chief of a newspaper published in the local Talysh language, has also translated Bahá’í literature to Talyash and has expressed interest in regularly printing Bahá’í prayers and writings in the language.

Joyous gathering in Jinja in preparation for bicentenary

After finalizing plans for the upcoming bicentenary celebrations, the friends in this gathering in Jinja, Uganda, rose up in spontaneous song and dance.

Painting of golden peacock’s train

The painting, by an artist from Perth, Australia, depicts a peacock’s tail, which is known as a train. The artwork was inspired by the peacock statutes, which beautify the gardens surrounding the Shrine of the Báb.

Visiting neighbors and fostering a spirit of devotion

In anticipation for the bicentenary, Bahá’ís in Merauke, Indonesia, make a collective effort to to start devotional meetings and classes for children.

Musical group rehearsing in Kinshasa

With great dedication, one among many musical groups in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, rehearses a song for its upcoming performance during the bicentenary period.

Bicentenary preparations in Laos

Young people in Savannakhet, Laos, prepare a community garden for the upcoming celebrations of the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb.

Poems of Táhirih inspire young songwriter in Slovakia

Influenced by the styles and themes explored in the poetry of Táhirih—a heroic early follower of the Báb—a young composer in Slovakia has created a musical composition. The lyrics of the song examine issues of life, death, and love of God, and read, in part: “My life derives not from my soul, nor does my dying come from my death; Union with you is my life, and separation from you is my death”.

Children rehearse a play on heroism

As part of their bicentenary celebrations, a group of children in Egypt rehearse for a play inspired by a story of Quddús, who was the last among the Letters of the Living, a title given to the first 18 followers of the Báb who each independently recognized Him. Quddús, the youngest of the group, displayed a level of devotion and courage which made him the foremost disciple of the Báb. These children, who performed the play, are part of a class for spiritual and moral education.

Poster highlights Bahá’í teachings

A poster is created in honor of the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb, highlighting the main teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, whose coming the Báb heralded.

Paintings on progressive revelation

An art exhibition in Portimão, Portugal, features a series of paintings about the successive appearance of Manifestations of God, a concept known as progressive revelation. The exhibit is displayed at the local Bahá’í Centre and will also be shown in public places such as the city hall.

Local celebrations in homes across the country uplift hearts

Families across Brazil are honoring the bicentenary by gathering with friends and neighbors in uplifting local celebrations. A gathering in the indigenous village Fulniô offered prayers of gratitude, and another in Aracaju reflected on the life of the Báb and His noble spirit. Three other such gatherings were hosted by the community’s children, who explored with their families how the Báb’s Teachings on unity can be applied to their individual and collective lives.

House of Worship provides a space for reflection and meaningful conversations

The Bahá’í House of Worship in Santiago, Chile, provides a space for those engaged in efforts to contribute to the progress of their communities, to not only be peaceful and meditate, but also to study and reflect on their lives and service, in a dynamic conversation with others.

Celebrations taking place in Bermuda

In this bicentenary period, communities across Bermuda are reflecting on the contribution their island can make to building a more peaceful world. Across its 19 square miles, people are praying together, beautifying their environment, drawing inspiration from the stories of the dawn-breakers, and making plans for the betterment of their community. Youth and children, in particular, have been coming together to think about the crucial role their generation must play in the spiritual and material progress of their community.

Live coverage of program from Chile House of Worship commences soon

Live coverage of the program at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Chile will commence soon.

Image of the Shrine of the Báb made with macramé

Using macramé, a form of weaving made up of knots, an artist in Rijeka, Croatia, has adorned a painting of the Shrine of the Báb.

Live coverage of program from House of Worship commences soon

Live coverage of the program at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Colombia will commence soon.

Community builds a local center for celebrations

The community of Telire, Costa Rica, is constructing a building to hold their bicentenary celebrations. Adults, youth, and children are contributing to raising this new center. They have organized themselves into three groups—one to supervise construction, another to maintain the cleanliness of the space, and a third to beautifying a nearby garden. The community is expecting around 700 friends to attend the upcoming celebrations.

Drawing by youth in Argentina

This pencil drawing was created by a youth in Rosario, Argentina, to mark the bicentenary.

Community in Germany inaugurates 10 weeks of events

A group of residents from Leimen, Germany, has organized 10 weeks of events in honor of the bicentenary. These events, including concerts and dozens of neighborhood gatherings, are aimed at connecting members of the community and further strengthening bonds of friendship. This series of events began with an evening of musical performances.

Bicentenary celebrations sweep across India

As bicentenary celebrations sweep across India, gatherings are taking place among families and in close-knit communities. These intimate celebrations are bringing together thousands of people to deepen their understanding of the life and mission of the Báb and steel their commitment to put into practice the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. In the Panchgani area, the spirit of the bicentenary inspired the community to organize 35 celebrations among close groups of families and neighbors. In the village of Solu, one family invited four others for a devotional gathering, after which they decided to speak with their neighbors about increasing the devotional character of their village. In part of Uttar Pradesh, a village head invited community members for a celebration in his home. And in this spiritually potent period, many families and neighbors are reflecting on their personal and collective search for truth and efforts to transform society as they watch the film Dawn of the Light.

A short film about hopes and dreams

This short film, titled Dream, depicts youth from Myanmar who share their hopes and dreams of a unified world. They describe how these aspirations can become a reality by unlocking the potential of young people to be of service to humanity and contribute to the advancement of civilization.

School in Tonga celebrates the bicentenary

Students and teachers at the Bahá’í-inspired Ocean of Light school in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga, celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb. Senior students prepare a colorful banner while all enjoy a program that includes prayer, music, dance, and presentations about the historic anniversary.

Artistic rehearsal brings together the community

In the seaside city of Limbe, Cameroon, children, youth, and adults rehearsed their artistic presentations for the bicentenary. Attendees felt the creative energy of a vibrant step dance for peace and joyful music and singing.

A festive celebration in Austria

In Steyr, Austria, bands of brightly colored garlands festoon a community hall. The celebration featured uplifting musical performances and contributions from children and youth. It was held in a space which has been used as a shelter for refugees, and has become a hub for community building activities, bringing together friends of all ages.

Prayer of the Báb put to music

A group of young people in Switzerland put a prayer of the Báb to music in honor of His upcoming bicentenary.

Students in Zambia recount story of the Báb through song

Students at the Bahá’í-inspired Banani International Secondary School in Chisamba, Zambia, are preparing for the bicentenary by composing a song about the history and the life and mission of the Báb.

A poem about the Báb

A poem written by a younger youth for the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb describes some moments from His dramatic ministry.

Women’s gatherings explore spiritual subjects

In Namibia, the bicentenary period inspires a spirit of thoughtful search in a number of women’s gatherings, as they explore some of the pressing questions facing humanity today, such as the role of religion in society and the equality of women and men.

A news report on local celebrations

A recent television news report in French describes the bicentenary celebrations held in neighborhoods across Lubumbashi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the lead-up to the citywide Holy Day celebrations. Between footage of singing and dancing, are interviews with attendees who speak about the impact of the Báb’s message on their lives.

National celebration held in Cambodia

In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, around 50 participants, including authorities and dignitaries, joined the Bahá’í community in an event at the National Center to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb. The program included the reading of a letter from the Universal House of Justice and a screening of the film Dawn of the Light, both released for the bicentenary. A group of youth also performed a traditional dance and song in Khmer, the national language, about the life of the Báb.

In Jordan, traditional instruments beautified with calligraphy

After a moving conversation about the Bahá’í writings, two friends in Jordan were inspired to beautify traditional tambourines with flowers and Arabic calligraphy for the occasion of the births of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.

Painting of the Shrine of the Báb

This painting of the Shrine of the Báb, created by an artist from Morocco, was inspired by the bicentenary.

Digital painting of the Shrine of the Báb

A digital artist from Bacoor, Philippines, created this digital painting in honor of the bicentenary. The piece drew on the colors of the country’s flag—blue, red, white, and yellow.

Paintings dedicated to the dawn-breakers

These paintings by an artist from Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, will be part of an exhibition during the bicentenary celebrations. The exhibition will be dedicated to the dawn-breakers, who were the early, heroic followers of the Báb.

Joyous celebration brings community together

Children, youth, and adults in South Tarawa, Kiribati gather to honor the bicentenary with devotions, stories from the life of the Bab, and traditional dance.

Sunset in Kiribati launches global celebrations

With the setting of the sun over the island nation of Kiribati, the bicentenary of the birth of Báb has now commenced. In this historic year, the festival of the Twin Birthdays of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh will be celebrated by millions of people worldwide in the coming 72 hours from the first to the last sunset, concluding in Hawaii on 30 October.

Story of the Báb told in short film

This short film tells the story of the life of the Báb as told by a group of youth from Switzerland. The group wrote and narrated the story in the style of a Kamishibai theater, a form of street theater and storytelling from Japan.

Sharing songs about the lives of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh

Group in Kenya learns songs composed about the lives of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.

Laser wooden display

A laser cut wooden display from Perth, Australia, inspired by the Shrine of the Báb in Haifa, was created for the occasion of His bicentenary.

Laos honors the bicentenary

In Vientiane, Laos, about 90 people, including officials, various religious groups, and other agencies, gather at the National Bahá’í Center to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb.

Friends in Edinburgh compose music

Friends in Edinburgh, Scotland, bring together their musical talents for a series of sessions where they compose music inspired by the Writings of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

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.

Throughout bicentenary period, a look at Slovakia communities

Communities across Slovakia gather in intimate settings to plan for and celebrate the bicentenary. In Dubravka, youth practice for a theatrical presentation, while in Bratislava, families come together for celebrations and create beautiful handcrafts.

Community creates videos to describe the efforts taking place in the neighbourhood

Two videos created in Gauangelloch, Germany, describe community-building efforts taking place in one of the neighbourhoods in the lead up to the bicentenary of the birth of the Bab. The first video speaks to the activities centered around the spiritual education of children and youth. The second video describes the importance of periodic reflection on these efforts among the families involved, in order to build on and learn from experience.

Indigenous community in Costa Rica marks the bicentenary with a welcoming celebration

The indigenous community of Talamanca, Costa Rica, commemorates the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb with a joyful and vibrant celebration that embraces many attendees.

Series of paintings regarding the mission of the Báb

In Ecuador, a series of paintings, entitled Luminaries of a New Day, illustrates the events surrounding the mission of the Báb.

Art piece at exhibition in New Zealand about the Báb

In an art gallery in Wellington, New Zealand, a painting entitled On This Night is named for a tablet revealed by Bahá’u’lláh for the occasion of the birth of the Báb.

Songs from Laos about the life of the Báb

In Laos, two songs were produced in honor of the bicentenary. The first song, God has Chosen, tells a story of the early believers and their journey to find the Báb. The second song, The Gate to Light describes the qualities of the Báb, Who, from a young age, showed signs of greatness, and through whose teachings many people came to recognize Bahá’u’lláh.

Uplifting celebrations throughout Macau

Uplifting celebrations throughout Macau mark the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb. The celebrations include prayerful family gatherings in homes and activities such as a puppet show and Chinese calligraphy art.

Community march and local gatherings mark celebrations

Communities in Benin, commemorate the bicentenary with processions on the streets, inviting local residents to the upcoming historic celebrations. Gatherings are infused with prayers, songs, dance, and presentations by children and youth about the life of the Báb and His teachings.

Youth remember the Báb’s declaration as a Manifestation of God

Youth from Bucharest, Romania, come together to learn a song about the Báb. The words put to music are those uttered by the Báb, the night He revealed His station as a Manifestation of God who was to prepare the world for the coming of Bahá’u’lláh.

A short animated film tells the story of the life of the Báb

The Story of Love—the Báb, the Gate, a short film produced in Tanzania, uses animation accompanied by rap music to portray the life of the Báb, His teachings, and stories of His early followers.

Poem from Bahrain celebrates the life of the Báb

A poet in Bahrain has composed a lyrical piece to commemorate the bicentenary. The poem explores the unifying principles that underlie the message of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh and illumine the life of humanity.

Festival for young people in the Philippines

As part of the celebrations in Paranaque, on the island of Luzon in the Philippines, several groups of children come together for a festival during the bicentenary period. The festival provided an opportunity for these small groups of children and young youth who are learning about spiritual and moral concepts in their local communities to meet others who are engaged in this same process. The festival is not only a place where teachers, parents, and children learn from each other, it also allows bonds of friendship to be developed among groups of people who are pursuing a common purpose: to create communities where everyone can play a part in their betterment.

Community presents theatrical performance based on life of Táhirih

Staged in a peaceful garden setting, the community of Mundaring, Australia, hosted a theatrical performance based on the life of Táhirih, entitled Let the Wind Untie my Perfumed Hair. The one-woman show retells the stirring story of this heroine of the Bábí Faith. After the performance, audience members had conversations about the piece, which has since inspired many visitors to contribute to the community building endeavors of the local Bahá’í community.

Neighborhood celebration at a local park

A picnic in Bedok, Singapore, brought friends together to celebrate the bicentenary with songs, games and storytelling.

Learning through storytelling at a bicentenary celebration in Dallas

Young people in a neighborhood of Dallas, United States, learn through storytelling about the life of the Báb and about the courage and sacrifices of some of his early followers.

Speaking about the Báb and the bicentenary at a book fair

At a book fair in Porto, Portugal, the Bahá’í community had the opportunity to discuss the life of the Báb and His mission with visitors. A local radio station, Rádio Manobras, covered the event.

Song about faith and transcending hardship and suffering

A group of 105 people from Luilu and beyond who had gathered to learn more about the life of the Báb, were animated by a song about how faith can transcend hardship and suffering.

Collage about the Báb

An artist from Bahrain has created a collage using paper, different textiles, and pieces of thread, among other materials. The collage depicts the Shrine of the Báb, excerpts from the Writings of the Báb, as well as an image of a gate--the meaning of His name.

Neighborhood refreshment stand provides opportunity for conversations about unity

Children in Tshwane, South Africa, have honored the spirit of the teachings of the Báb by creating a refreshment stand, which acts as a space for neighbors to come together and talk about the oneness of humanity.

Bicentenary celebrations flourish across Germany

In a variety of settings across Germany, communities commemorate the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb and honor His sacred mission through the arts and uplifting community activities including interfaith concerts and theatrical performances. Several communities staged performances in honor of Táhirih and Mullá Husayn, two of the early heroes of the Faith, who selflessly contributed to the spiritual movement led by the Báb. In Offenbach, a luminous outdoor depiction of the Shrine of the Báb attracted friends and neighbors, and a conference in Mainz stimulated meaningful conversations with neighbors. On the grounds of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Langenhain, visitors entered a tent to view with reverence a number of sacred relics related to the lives of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.

Joyous celebration in Angola

Friends, families and neighbors fill a home with prayers and loving fellowship in Luanda, Angola as they celebrate the bicentenary together.

Celebrations flourish across the United Kingdom

In the period leading up to and during the bicentenary, groups across the United Kingdom are paying homage to the Báb in diverse settings, including homes, community halls and open-air gatherings. In many of these spaces they are coming together for prayer, to draw inspiration from the heroic lives of the early believers of the Báb, to reflect on the condition and needs of their society and to seek out ways to contribute to the upliftment of their communities.