Riḍván Festival 2023
Flowers of One Garden
Get ready to immerse yourself in a celebration of art, culture, and faith at the upcoming Riḍván Festival at the Penang Harmony Centre.
Riḍván /REZ-vahn/ — noun Persian word for Paradise.
This year's event promises to be an unforgettable experience, open to everyone who loves to learn new things and wants to explore a global faith that promotes unity and equality.
Admission to the festival is free, and you can choose to take a self-guided tour or register for a guided group tour. Whether you're interested in art, history, or simply want to celebrate a festival full of joy and meaning, the Riḍván Festival - "Flowers of One Garden" is an event not to be missed.
Join us at the Penang Harmony Centre from April 26 to May 3, 2023 and experience the beauty and unity of the Bahá’í Faith.
This event is a collaboration between the Bahá’í Community of Penang and HARMONICO.
April 26 — May 3, 2023.
Open to the Public. Free Admission.
Exhibition - Bahá’ís of Penang
Venue : Harmony Centre Exhibition Hall
Open Times : April 26 — May 3, 2023. 10:00 — 4:00 daily
Mode : Self-guided. Guided Group Tour (Booking Required).
Learn about the history of the Bahá'ís in Penang, from the visit of the first believer in 1883 until the establishment of the permanent Local Spiritual Assembly in 1958 and beyond. The story of the establishment of the Faith in Penang, much like the story of Penang itself, spans continents and involves people from all over the world coming to this cosmopolitan place to practice their faith freely.
- Researched and curated by author and Penang history researcher, Eugene Quah.
Explore the symbolism and unique architecture of the Bahá'í temples worldwide through carefully curated photos and descriptions complemented by quotes that inspired the buildings.
- Curated by Penang-based architect, Ar. Lim Woon Hun, who was directly involved in the construction of the famous Lotus Temple in New Delhi.
Meticulously researched with many never-before-seen photos and documents.
Abtract acrylic by internationally known Penang-born artist, Foo Hong Tatt; listed as a notable artist by Marquis Who's Who.
"Garden of Riḍván (2017) - Acrylic by Penang artist, Ravindran Ramasamy
Art Exhibition
Opening Times :
April 26 — May 3, 2023.
10:00 — 04:00 daily
Mode : Self-guided
View a selection of Bahá'í inspired art works by locally and internationally known artists.
Elyssa Kaur Ludher
Foo Hong Tatt
Parames McNeill
Ravindran Ramasamy
Vinnu Ravindran
Learn about the underlying teachings of the Faith that inspired those works.
Book & Chat Corner
Opening Times :
26 April — 3 May, 2023.
10:00 — 04:00 daily
Mode : Self-guided with opportunity to chat with volunteers
A collection of nearly 100 different titles from extensive Bahá'í publishing world for browsing and contemplating in a cosy environment. There will also be some free books and small discussion sessions.
Garden Exhibition - Flowers of One Garden
Venue : Harmony Centre Main Hall
Opening Times :
April 26 — May 3, 2023
10:00 — 04:00 daily
Mode : Self-guided
Discover the significance of the 12-day Riḍván Festival to the Bahá'ís worldwide. Through various outdoor exhibits and activities, learn how the Festival was named after the Garden of Riḍván on the banks of the Tigris River where the Divine Educator, Baháʼu'lláh, Who founded the Faith, declared His mission to humanity.
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Open to the Public. Free Admission.
The Ninth Day of Riḍván
@
Penang Harmony Centre
No. 15 Jalan Scotland
Noon Exhibitions Paused
02:30 Arrival of Guests
02:45 Interfaith Group Performances
03:00 Panel Discussion on the Theme of Unity
03:45 Arrival the Chief Minister, Y.A.B. Tuan Chow Kon Yeow and VIPs
04:15 Cultural Performances
04:20 Welcome Addresses
04:50 Art Exhibition Resumes
05:00 Main Exhibition Resumes
Refreshments
Music in the Garden
06:30 End of Event
Kids are Our Precious Gems!
Our festival offers a variety of activities that will engage and entertain children of all ages while adults enjoy the exhibitions and music performances. We understand the importance of keeping your children engaged and learning about unity, so we have carefully curated a range of activities :
There will be craft, songs and collaborative games designed and run by experienced community children class teachers for different age groups.
Age 5-7 will explore the virtue of Love.
Age 8-9 will explore the virtue of Kindliness
Age 10-11 will explore the virtue of Unity in Diversity
Special Session: Learn and interact with children and families from the Penang Down Syndrome Association through the session "Art on Canvas: Good neighbors come in all colors". (Limited to 12 people - open to age 10 and above)
Session will be run by AR Lim Woon Hun and assisted by two experienced special needs teacher; Ms. Jasniza Johari (Certified in PEERS Social Skills Program from UCLA for adolescents) and Ms Khoo Jie Ying (ASD Special Fitness Program Facilitator)
Open Activities for All Ages
Book Corner
Songs
Plant in a Jar
Light refreshments
Panel Discussion
Reflections on Unity - Principles in Action
Saturday, April 29, 2023 - 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. @ Penang Harmony Centre Main Hall
The Panelists
Darmain Segaran
Darmain is a technology lawyer with 15 years of experience, he currently leads the Technology and Commercial Advisory arm of Segaran Law Chambers in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Having handled pro bono cases relating to refugee rights and native land right, he continues to be involved in community-based initiatives, recognizing the critical role that education plays in the realignment of social structures.
Besides legal practice , Darmain also conducts research into emerging questions of societal impact, accountability, and liability that arise from areas such as data protection and artificial intelligence.
Joanna Goh Xuan Hui
Joanna is a Penang-born doctoral degree candidate in medicine at Monash University. She is currently researching a remedy to control prevalent infectious diseases in aquaculture. Apart from science, her other passion is children’s education. She conducts community classes to nurture their spiritual qualities and love for knowledge.
Joanna consciously fosters unity in every aspect of her life. She believes everyone can be a protagonist in transforming the world into a more just and united place by developing vibrant communities where the capacities of all, especially youth and children, are nurtured.
Dr. Temily Tianmay Tavangar
Temily is an applied anthropologist who works to enhance organizational culture in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion. Formerly a journalist, she also publishes academic research on various aspects of Southeast Asian societies, including conceptions of knowledge, identity, and religion.
She received her PhD from the University of Hong Kong, and has held fellowships at Oxford and the National University of Singapore.
Penang holds a special place in Temily’s heart — it is where her ancestors’ journeys in Malaya began over a century ago, and where her children call home.
Vidyakaran Subramaniam
Vidya, a legal professional, is the Director of External Affairs for the Baháʼí Community of Malaysia. His role involves collaborating with various organisations to promote national unity and harmony, gender equality and youth empowerment.
Vidya is also a trainer and facilitator for the Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity, an international organization that explores concepts and processes for global peace and prosperity.
His interest includes contributing the broad national conversations on topcis usch as social cohesion, sustainable development, human rights and more.
The Bahá'í Community of Penang invites everyone to celebrate together with us the Ninth Day of Riḍván.
For more details e-mail us at : info@bahaipenang.org or
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