Kiwi arts initiatives receive global exposure

The first story we report here is about stunning photographs and videos of a wide variety of events in Aotearoa that have been published on the bicentenary website of the Bahá’í World Centre:

https://bicentenary.bahai.org/the-bab/country-celebrations/new-zealand/

These New Zealand efforts are among a rich feast of arts from around the world in a new section of the bicentenary website, featuring images, videos, and music from commemorations of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Báb, which now completes the two bicentenary websites.

In an article on 20 April 2020, the Bahá’í World News Service reported:

These websites stand as a permanent testament to how Bahá’ís and many of their compatriots throughout the world — from major urban centers to remote rural locations — commemorated the bicentennial anniversaries of the birth of Baha’u’llah and the Bab in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

An outpouring of love and esteem from an extraordinarily diverse cross-section of humanity characterized the worldwide commemorations of the births of these Twin Luminaries over two 72-hour periods. Throughout that time, a feed of live updates on the websites offered simultaneously in over nine languages a rare panorama of the human family. The flow of posts provided glimpses of the countless artistic expressions and acts of service and devotion that were everywhere taking place. The websites also made available live broadcasts of devotional programs held in Baha’i Houses of Worship on every continent.

The final additions now made to the bicentenary websites include country pages illustrating the diversity of celebrations that these historic occasions inspired in over 150 countries and territories.

Secondly, an initiative of several musicians in Auckland, titled “Illuminate the World”, has been included in a Bahá’í World News Service article published on 11 May 2020. The project brings people together to create musical works that shed light on challenges facing their society. It is part of a groundswell of such endeavours in many countries, as the Bahá’í World News Service explains:

See the BWNS website for the full version of this article, with video and photos.

In these unique times, the arts have been particularly important in stimulating reflection on the spiritual dimension of human life and inspiring hope. Bahá’ís and their compatriots throughout the world have been drawing on the arts to cast a light on themes that are captivating the public consciousness, such as humanity’s interconnectedness.

“Creative initiatives are providing people a way to reach out to friends and to help relieve their anxiety. Artistic works can increase the feelings of hope, cohesion, and unity in a society,” says Simina, a sketch artist from Romania.

People of all ages, especially youth, have found ways to uplift the spirits of their fellow citizens through music, podcasts, paintings and drawings, theatre, puppet shows, poetry, and digital designs. Such works have focused on revealing the beauty that exists in the world and conveying new perspectives on current circumstances.

Nadiv, a young musician from Kenya, reflecting on the use of the arts to express constructive ideas says: “We’ve been able to address issues of common concern during the pandemic through music, and to bring people together to take part in collective expressions of solidarity. The arts have really been a voice for the voiceless. When you can’t say something directly, you can express it through creative means.”

The arts have been drawn upon by many to show appreciation for those working in essential services and to provide communities with information about health measures.

Meadow, a painter from the United States, says that “by using our hands and our voices, we’ve seen how everyone can create something beautiful and inspiring for others to enjoy. Creativity allows inspiration to flow, lifting our spirits and helping those around us.”

On the Bahá’í World News Service website you can see small selection of the many artistic expressions produced during this period that have been inspired by the Bahá’í teachings. On example appears below. For more, please go to https://news.bahai.org/story/1426/.