Gold medals, information about an indigenous elder, and a history volume opened on a significant page are some of the special features of a Baha’i exhibition that continues in Adelaide until 24 February 2012.
The exhibition, entitled Baha’i Heritage, Migration and Global Community, is being hosted by the Migration Museum of South Australia, Australia’s first museum to concentrate on immigration history and cultural diversity.
The exhibition traces in objects, images and text the history of the South Australian Baha’i community.
The senior curator of migration museum, Catherine Manning, said a diverse range of groups has presented unique and moving stories in the gallery, the Baha’is of Adelaide being the latest community to do so.
“They have produced a thought provoking and colourful display introducing visitors to the Baha’i Faith and the diverse cultures who follow it in Adelaide,” Ms Manning said.
“Visitors to the Migration Museum have found the exhibition positive and uplifting. It is fantastic to see the Baha’i community add their voices to the story of South Australia’s history.”
Indigenous
The community was founded in the early 1920s, and was home to one of the first indigenous Australian Baha’is, Fred Murray. Information about Mr Murray is on display.
Adelaide has played a distinctive role in the history of the Australian Baha’i community, being the first home of its national secretariat (1934-44).
One of the South Australian community’s senior members is 101-year-old Margo Bates, whose swimming victories in the world Masters swimming competition attracted national attention. Her gold medals are part of the exhibition.
Persian
From the early 1980s, the community has received into its ranks many Persian Baha’i refugees who have had to leave Iran due to severe persecution, which continues to this day.
On display at the exhibition is a history volume, entitled Nabil’s Narrative, opened at page that recounts a significant event in the history of the Faith in Iran. Other exhibits give an indication of the significant contributions the Persian Baha’is have made to their new Baha’i community and to the wider community of South Australia.
At the opening of the exhibition in December 2011, poet Roshanak Amrein read some of her verses about the birthplace of the Baha’i Faith, Iran. Another Baha’i speaker, Fuzzy Trojan, spoke about the tradition of migration to South Australia in relation to the recent migration of Iranian Baha’is.
The Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Adelaide organised the exhibition, asking professional designers and artists Richard and Jan Coker, who are members of the Baha’i community, to be the designers and curators.
Since its founding nearly 90 years ago, the South Australian Baha’i community has grown to the extent that there are now Baha’is throughout metropolitan Adelaide and in many regional areas of the State. More than 20 Local Spiritual Assemblies coordinate Baha’i activities in various urban and regional localities.
The Baha’i Centre of Learning, a restored heritage building located at 279 Flinders Street, Adelaide, is a venue for educational activities and other events open to the public.
Visit the website of the Migration Museum
View photos from the display