Importance of Celebration
Celebration is essential to making a place achieve the feeling and reality of inclusion. A celebration can build connections among diverse people and cultures by lifting up and understanding our commonalities.
When we experience the start of something positive and new, it often prompts us to begin a regular celebration of that event, such as birthdays, foundings, and anniversaries.
The month of April is home to one such beginning: the key revelation of the Baha’i faith in the Garden of Ridvan on April 22, 1863. This year, the first day of Ridvan (Rez-ván) starts at sundown on April 19 and lasts for 12 days until sundown on May 1st. Baha’i people celebrate the first, ninth, and twelfth day as days of rest on which no work is to be done.
The Baha’i value of family unity extends to the entire human race, with the anticipation that all people will be united with each other in peace one day.
In Wilsonville, the Ridvan celebrations will be held virtually and privately, on April 20, April 29, and May 2. Please contact us at connect@wilsonvillealliance.org if you are interested in participating!
Ridvan: Paradise Rest
In 1863, the Bábí religion was growing in Iraq and Persia (Iran) under the guidance of Bahá’u’lláh. This growth attracted the attention of the Ottoman government, who ordered him to leave Baghdad and appear before them in Constantinople (Istanbul). Before leaving, Bahá’u’lláh spent 12 days in the Najibiyyih gardens near Baghdad. These gardens were also known as the Garden of Ridvan (Rez-ván, رضوان), which translates to “Heaven” in the Persian language.
Bahá’u’lláh’s stay began on April 22nd. When he arrived, he declared himself to a few close associates to be a Manifestation of God as foretold by the Báb, his predecessor who also declared himself a Manifestation of God. For the following eleven days, he visited with his friends and followers and spent time in the garden, joined on the ninth day by his family members. It is in remembrance of this time garden, that the holy time of Ridvan is celebrated.
Significance of Ridvan
While all 12 days comprise the celebration, the first, ninth, and twelfth days are marked holidays when work is suspended. The entire festival commemorates Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration and message of unity amongst all people, and a time of spiritual renewal, spiritual contemplation, and recommitment to the community.
The first day is held as a day of no work, to celebrate the beginning of Bahá’u’lláh’s mission. This day does include every member of a local community meeting to elect their local council for the coming year.
The ninth day is celebrated as a holiday of unity, as the day when Bahá’u’lláh was reunited with his family.
The symbolism of family unity extends to the entire human race, with the anticipation that all people will be united with each other in peace one day.
The final day of Ridvan marks the end of Bahá’u’lláh’s stay in the Garden of Ridvan. While Bahá’u’lláh’s departure was the beginning of a forced exile, today Baha’is see the onset of this trial in Bahá’u’lláh’s life as representative of how unity and nonviolence in the face of oppression can create positive change in the world.
Ridvan Garden outside of Akka
Ridvan and Baha’i in Oregon
Ridvan celebrations are community-focused and often depend on the local culture or community.
“The celebrations can take on many forms, like beginning with a formal program or having an informal gathering of friends enjoying the festivities. The main aim of Ridvan, as with all the Bahá’í Holy Days, is to cultivate an environment where sincere bonds of fellowship can be formed, and where unity in diversity can be fostered within the community. This implies that everyone present is viewed as an equal, regardless of the background or belief system they follow. Everyone is also welcome to share anything like poetry, music, prayer or pieces of art which speak to their heart.” - Shaba Rahavi, Wilsonville resident
While under normal circumstances, a Ridvan gathering might traditionally be participated in or witnessed in person, you can still see some pre-recorded programs which will be broadcast by the U.S. National Assembly.