This Wednesday, 21 March 2012, is the Baha’i New Year for more than four hundred and eighty Baha’i communities across Canada. It marks the beginning of the 169th year of the Baha’i Era. Celebrations of Naw-Rúz will take different forms throughout Canada given the diverse cultures and backgrounds of the Baha’is.
Fredericton Baha’i youth will open the celebration by talking about Naw-Rúz and its significance to the Baha’i community. This will be followed by artistic and musical performances from community members, including songs and a perfomance from the youth band.
In Toronto, there will be a centralized event for the community with music, and devotional readings. There will also be several community events in neighbourhoods across Toronto. These celebrations will gather together all those who are engaged in junior youth groups, children’s classes, study circles and devotional gatherings.
The Baha’is of Saskatoon expect to have over 350 people at their festive event. As in many other communities across Canada, the celebration will include programs of spiritual upliftment, music and dancing, and feasting.
The celebration of Naw-Rúz comes at the end of the annual 19-day fast (March 2-20) during which Baha’is abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset as a way of calling to mind their spiritual nature and detaching from their material desires.
The Baha’i New Year coincides with the vernal equinox, which symbolizes a time of the inner spiritual and physical renewal of humanity.