In early April, the Norwegian Department of Health held an annual meeting and exhibition. The main topic was how the government could improve citizens' health through cooperating with community centers and volunteer-run, non-profit organizations. Members of the Norwegian Falun Gong Association and several other practitioners also were present at this meeting as a non-governmental organization.
During the meeting, over forty government departments and voluntary groups set up exhibitions, one of which was the Norwegian Falun Gong Association's display of scientific reports documenting Falun Gong's positive effects on health. Practitioner also demonstrated the exercises.
At the Falun Gong stand, people could find out how practitioners have become physically and mentally healthy through Falun Gong cultivation practice. It is known as a cultivation practice because practitioners strive to improve, or cultivate, their bodies and minds. Practitioners showed details of health surveys from Beijing before Falun Gong was suppressed, health surveys from Taiwan and medical reports of Falun Gong's effect on health in Germany.
People enjoyed the practitioners' exercise demonstrations. Many participants showed a keen interest. They stopped to look around the Falun Gong stall, asking questions. Some participants said, "I felt really comfortable just by watching your exercises." People even exclaimed in admiration when they heard that Falun Gong is always taught free of charge. Some people expressed a wish to get a chance to practice Falun Gong at their workplace. People also learned about the persecution against Falun Gong in China.
After the meeting, a practitioner gave the organizers a lotus flower and told them about the special significance the lotus flower carries in China. People admired the charm of the lotus flower and the unique significance surrounding its place in ancient Chinese culture.
