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Featured in: The Baha’i Fast
The Baha’i Fast falls during the month of Ala–the last month of the Baha’i calendar. During these 19 days, Baha’is abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset. While this abstention from food and drink is a test of one’s will and discipline, the Fast is not just about abstaining from food. The Fast is, primarily, a spiritual practice.
A very cool collaborative art project that takes place every year during the Baha’i Fast is Nineteen Days, a project started by friends and fellow bloggers Leila and Amy.
For each of the nineteen days of the fasting month, the pair invite Baha’i photographers to share their special moments at sunrise and sunset, caught as the photographers begin and end their days of fasting. The imagery is often haunting, evocative and serene. Each day’s post is accompanied by quotes from the Baha’i writings as well as comments from the photographer.
The first year’s set of photos was compiled into a book for sale online, but it’s all sold out at the moment. However a recent tweet indicates a fresh book will be out soon, so you may like to follow their Twitter feed to stay updated.
The image at the top of this post is by Layli, an LA based photographer who writes, on Day Thirteen of the 2011 Fast:
…and as the sun sets, every night, i cannot wait to tear through my delightful blood oranges and all the other citrus picked from our friends trees. the citrus is so beautifully colored, so happy and bright, it literally has the power to bring me cheer. its that time of the Fast for me where i am spiritually jacked on happiness & gratitude; my focus and inner sight is with such a keenness that i feel as if i am traversing through my history and baggage with roadrunner pace. this is the time of the Fast that i catch myself actually saying, “i don’t want it to end”.
Layli on Nineteen Days, Day 13
Check out more inspirational photography, quotes and thoughts in this fantastic project at nineteendays.wordpress.com and follow the project on Facebook and Twitter for updates.
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dude, we think it’s very cool too! thanks for the shout-out! see you next year!
leila (March 3, 2011 at 7:21 PM)
No worries Leila! Keep up the fantastic work, it’s really inspirational!
Collis (March 3, 2011 at 6:01 AM)
Incredible shots guys – bless you all for your efforts and creativity!
Mehran (March 3, 2011 at 6:39 AM)
HEY GUYS! thanks so much for highlighting our project & my kooky photo! you guys are the best, so excited for your blog!!! all my best!
LAYLI (March 3, 2011 at 7:43 AM)
Thanks Layli! And you’re most welcome, it’s such a lovely photo! Really fresh and eye catching. I was really glad we got to have it on our homepage on launch day, makes the site look much more awesome 🙂
Collis (March 3, 2011 at 8:53 AM)