(Clearwisdom.net) On September 13, 2003, we participated in an annual large-scale Religion and Culture Festival held in Belleville, a city located in southern Illinois. Groups and individuals from different nationalities, religious beliefs, and cultural backgrounds displayed their unique styles and characteristics to foster mutual exchange and understanding. This year, the sponsor specifically invited Falun Gong practitioners to participate as representatives of the traditional Chinese culture.

When we contacted the sponsor prior to the activity, we introduced to them the characteristics of Falun Gong, the widespread practice of Falun Dafa around the world, and its persecution in China. The sponsors were very friendly and offered us many conveniences. The location of our booth was quite good for demonstrating the Falun Dafa exercises and the sponsor even provided us with a large TV and video player so that we could show the exercise instruction video.

We performed the Lotus Dance and sang songs composed by Dafa practitioners on the large stage. Most of the time we demonstrated the exercises at our booth. Many visitors were attracted by our elegant and peaceful demonstration, and came up to ask for materials and more information. Some people wanted to learn the exercises right there on the spot. Some other people learned the facts about Falun Gong and said that they would tell more people about Falun Gong so that we could work together to stop the brutal persecution in China.

At dinner that evening we continued to talk with people from different groups. Many people did not know much about Falun Gong before. Today, they saw it for themselves and showed great interest. Some groups left contact information for us, and they invited our practitioners to introduce Falun Gong to more people in their groups.

The activity from beginning to end was very successful with everyone working together harmoniously.