Celebrating
with music and dance
|
LAS
PALMAS, Canary Islands, 17 December 2003 (BWNS)
-- Classical Spanish
dances and melodies entertained participants at
the 50th jubilee celebrations in the Canary
Islands and the Balearic Islands.
Canary
Islands
Songs
originating from the Canary Islands were a
highlight of the festivities held in the
capital, Las Palmas, from 10-12 October 2003.
Guests
from Austria, Senegal, Morocco, and Spain joined
local Baha'is to watch a video documentary about
the 50 years of Baha'i activity in the islands.
Another
film, produced by local youth, depicted the
significant role young people played in the
history of the Baha'i community.
One
of the speakers, Mahnaz Nekoudin, paid tribute
to the Baha'is who had settled in the islands to
support the work of the Baha'i community. |
Wearing traditional dress at the jubilee was
Sandra Marrero, who sang folk songs of the
Canary Islands.
|
Many of
those pioneering Baha'is were present at the jubilee,
and received roses as a gesture of gratitude.
The Faith
came to the Canary Islands in October 1953 when George
and Peggy True, and their son, Barry, arrived from
Detroit and settled in Tenerife.
For their
services, Mr. and Mrs. True received the accolade
Knights of Bahá'u'lláh from Shoghi Effendi.
At the
jubilee, Barry True gave an address that included
affectionate reminiscences of his parents.
Another
Knight of Bahá'u'lláh to the Canary Islands was
Gertrude Eisenberg, who settled on the island of Grand
Canary.
Shoghi Riaz
Rouhani, a Baha'i from Egypt, arrived on that island a
few months later, in April 1954. He too was named a
Knight of Bahá'u'lláh.
Mr. Rouhani,
who was present at the jubilee, talked about the
significance of the historic events 50 years ago.
Also
contributing to the festivities were Emilio Egea and
Sohrab Youssefian, members of the Continental Board of
Counselors.
In
conjunction with the jubilee, the Baha'is organized an
interfaith panel discussion, which was held at the
Writers' Guild of Las Palmas.
Present at
that meeting were representatives of the Buddhist,
Catholic, and Jewish communities, as well the consuls
for Ireland and Italy.
Ines
Jimenez, member of the town council of Las Palmas, spoke
at that gathering.
"The
message that I learned is that humanity is one race, and
that unity, peace, and dialogue of all cultures of the
world will be a reality," Mrs. Jimenez said.
Also
attending were Angel Tristan, editor and columnist of
one of the regional newspapers, "La Provincia,"
who had written an article about the Baha'i Faith.
The jubilee
was also covered by another local newspaper, the "Canarias
7," and there was a report by the local television
station, Channel 8.
Those first
four to arrive in the Balearic Islands received the
title Knight of Baha'u'llah from Shoghi Effendi.
Several
high-ranking officials were present at the celebrations,
including the director of the Human Rights for
Children's Office, a UNESCO representative, and senior
members of the Education Council, who praised the Baha'i
community's work for social welfare.
Also
present were Emilio Egea, a member of the Continental
Board of Counsellors, and members of the National
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Spain.
Representatives
of the Buddhist, Jewish, Catholic, and Muslim
communities participated with the Baha'is in a panel
discussion on religious dialogue, which was covered by
the local media.
