A group in Halifax produces multimedia presentation on Bahá’u’lláh

Neptune Theatre marquee, Halifax, N.S.
Photo: Anthony M. Power

After a year of preparation, a group of artists called Arts4Unity presented “Baha’u’llah His World Embracing Vision; a multimedia presentation” in early July at the Neptune theatre in Halifax, N.S. More than 300 people attended the event, which featured the recitation of Bahá’í Writings, music, video, visual art and song.

Actors recited quotations from Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, including excerpts from Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablets to the kings and rulers of the world. The passages were read dramatically by actors dressed in costumes from the late 19th century.

Mahnaz Sobhani created this painting after being inspired by some of the Bahá’í writings on the arts. It is intended to convey that “when you make art, your soul is uplifted,” according to Sobhani.

Beginning in 1867, Bahá’u’lláh wrote to many of the kings and rulers of the world, including Emperor Napoleon III, Queen Victoria, Kaiser Wilhelm I, Tsar Alexander II, Emperor Franz Joseph, Pope Pius IX, Sultan Abdu’l-Aziz and Nasiri’d-Din Shah. He proclaimed Himself as the Manifestation of God, urged the leaders to be just, to reduce the size of their armies, exhorted them to “band together into a commonwealth of nations,” and warned them of the “dire consequences” if they failed to establish peace. [1]

The evening concluded with an exhibition of art work connected to the theme of Bahá’u’lláh’s world-embracing vision by local artists. The audience members socialized over refreshments and discussed the show, asked questions and shared stories.

The show was directed by artist Saeed Foroughi and hosted by former CBC broadcaster Olga Milosevich. It garnered attention from local print, radio and online media.

-Anthony M. Power, Bahá’í Community of Halifax Regional Municipality website

[1] http://www.bahaullah.org/adrianople/bahaullah-writes-rulers