Please note this event occurred in 2017 – Page is live for historic purposes only.
Chicago Bicentennial Celebration of the
Birth of Bahá’u’lláh
Evening of Saturday, October 21, 2017
South Shore Cultural Center
7059 S South Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60649
About the Celebration:
7:30 pm – Auditorium presentations: dynamic music, dance, and presentations by local artists, including Van Gilmer (composer, vocalist, and choir director at the Baha’i House of Worship), Emily Price (mezzo-soprano who sings with Chicago a cappella, the Lyric Opera Chorus, and Grant Park Music Festival Chorus), Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Tsukasa Taiko, and more!
Please contact the Chicago Baha’i Community’s Task Force via the following email address with thoughts or questions: chicago.bahai.bicentennial@gmail.com.
Sign up online to let the event organizers know that you are coming, and be sure that your friends sign up too!
Celebrate with Us!
Every year, Bahá’ís all over the world celebrate two special occasions, the Births of Bahá’u’lláh (born 1817) and the Báb (born 1819), the two successive Prophets who are the central Figures in the Bahá’í Faith. The years, 2017 and 2019, are particularly special as each of these years marks a 200th year anniversary of the birth of one of these two revered Figures.
Who were these Two celebrated Figures?
The Báb, whose title means “the Gate,” was born Sayyid `Alí-Muhammad in 1819, in Shiraz, Iran. Though the Bab was a Manifestation or Prophet of God, and the Founder of a great religion, He also perceived Himself to be a forerunner of yet another Messenger Who would soon come after Him. Today, Baha’is recognize this latter Manifestation to be Bahá’u’lláh.
Bahá’u’lláh whose title means the “Glory of God,” was born Mírzá Husayn `Alí of Núr, Iran in 1817. In 1863, nineteen years after the beginning of the Bábi Faith, Bahá’u’lláh publicly declared His Message. He declared Himself as not only the One promised by the Báb, but one who had come to unify all of humanity.
This year, on Saturday, October 21, the Báhá’ís of Chicago will be holding the 200th year anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the first of two major celebrations for these two Figures (2019 will mark the 200th year anniversary of the Birth of the Bab). These Holy Days mark the happiest and most festive time for Bahá’is, and the Baha’i community is delighted to invite our friends, neighbors and acquaintances to come and partake of these celebrations!
Click here to learn more about the Baha’i Faith. Click here to learn more about the life of Bahá’u’lláh.
Check out this beautiful official website for the worldwide celebrations!
FAQs:
Do I have to pay to attend?
Admission is free!
Are there minimum age requirements to enter the event?
All ages are welcome to attend! There will be children’s activities, but children should be accompanied by an adult at all times, as the venue is public.
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Please contact the Chicago Baha’i Community’s Task Force via the following email address with thoughts or questions: chicago.bahai.bicentennial@gmail.com.
Do I have to bring a printed ticket to the event?
No need! The event registration page is just to help us estimate the number of attendees and plan accordingly.
Can I register for others?
Yes! If you haven’t registered yet, please do so! Planners need to get a head count for the light refreshments. Thank you!
Will there be food?
There will be light refreshments, but we encourage you to eat a hearty meal before you come to the event.
Do I have to be a Bahá’í to attend?
We welcome all to attend this event! You do not have to be a member of the Bahá’í Faith to attend this event. Please bring your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers!
Is this event ADA accessible?
Yes. The South Shore Cultural Center has accessible ramps and seating for the event.
What is the dress code?
There is no specific dress code, however, this is a celebratory event, so feel free to dress as you would to celebrate a special occasion!
Transportation:
Limited metered parking is available onsite ($2 per hour). A parking lot has been reserved for no cost at Robert A. Black Magnet School, 7133 S Coles Ave, Chicago, IL 60649, a few blocks from the South Shore Cultural Center. Carpooling, public transportation, or rideshare is recommended. The entrance is on the corner of South Shore Drive and 71st Street.
Public Transit Information:
Metra Electric Line: South Shore Stop, walk across the street to the Center.
CTA Red Line: 69th Street stop, then take bus to Center.
Media Files:
Feel free to use these to send to friends or print.
