Mario Fiorentini
Mario Fiorentini | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1887 Rome, Italy |
| Died | December 16, 1967 |
| NSA member | Italy & Switzerland 1953 - 1962 Italy 1962 - 1964 |
| ABM | Europe 1964 - 1967 |
Mario Fiorentini (1887 - December 16, 1967) was an early Italian Bahá’í who served on the National Spiritual Assembly of Italy & Switzerland, the independent National Spiritual Assembly of Italy, and the Auxiliary Board for Europe.
Biography[edit]
Fiorentini was born into a Jewish family in Rome in 1887 although he considered himself an agnostic. In his youth he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome graduating in approximately 1900 and he became a painter focusing on art of ancient Rome. He traveled after graduating visiting England, France, Spain, and the United States to view art.[1]
In 1935 Fiorentini moved to Palestine where he exhibited some of his art and secured a position lecturing on art. Around 1939 he was arrested due to being from Italy at the beginning of WWII and imprisoned in 'Akka. After a short time the conditions of his confinement were relaxed and he was able to visit nearby Haifa and he first came into contact with the Bahá’í Faith when he visited the Shrine of the Báb.[1]
In 1948 Fiorentini returned to Italy and his wife passed shortly afterwards. He was introduced to the Bahá’í community of Italy after returning to the country by a painter who he had studied with who had become a Bahá’í and after attending study classes for a few weeks he declared and was elected to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Rome as Treasurer. After becoming a Bahá’í he went on pilgrimage twice with his first pilgrimage being made while Shoghi Effendi was alive. He was an active teacher making travel teaching trips across Italy and translating Bahá’í literature into Italian.[2]
In 1953 the National Spiritual Assembly of Italy and Switzerland was formed and Fiorentini was elected to the body as its treasurer. He served on the Assembly until 1962 when it was disbanded and he was elected to the independent National Spiritual Assembly of Italy which succeeded it. In 1964 he was appointed as an Auxiliary Board member for Europe and he passed away in late 1967 while still serving as an Auxiliary Board member.[1]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1974). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 14 (1963-1968), Pg(s) 336. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1974). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 14 (1963-1968), Pg(s) 337. View as PDF.
