(Clearwisdom.net) May 13th has become a special day celebrated all over the world. To mark the day when Falun Dafa was first introduced to the world, Falun Gong practitioners from Norway and Stockholm, Gothenburg, and other cities in Sweden gathered in Stockholm to hold a series of activities. For two days in Kungstradgarden and the Vasa Museum, they celebrated World Falun Dafa Day, wishing their compassionate and great Master happy birthday, promoting the Fa, and clarifying the truth.
Falun Gong practitioners wishing their compassionate and great Master happy birthday
Falun Gong practitioners demonstrating the exercises
Four-year-old Linnea singing "De Du" in Chinese.
Passer-by finds out more about Falun Gong
Reading truth-clarifying materials
On May 10th, surrounded by blooming tulips in Kungstradgarden, wreaths and large banners that said "Falun Dafa Day," "Falun Gong," and "Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance" drew the attention of many passers-by.
The celebratory activities lasted over five hours and included songs and dances, an exercise demonstration, truth clarification boards, and folding paper lotus flowers.
Practitioners from different ethnic and age groups demonstrated the five sets of exercises. The host explained the characteristics of Falun Gong, the reason for the grand occasion, and that it is practiced in over 80 countries.
Anders, a Dafa disciple from Gothenburg, has enjoyed music since his childhood. An introverted person, he had been looking for something in his life for many years. Before practicing Falun Gong, he practiced many other forms of qigong. In 1995 it was by chance that he found Falun Gong. He said that Falun Gong has changed his whole outlook on life. He has practiced for 13 years thus far. Someone asked him, "Why are you so interested in this Chinese traditional exercise?" He thought for a while and said, "'Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance' has already taken root in my heart."
Christina, a dance teacher, lives in Alvika in the western region of Sweden. Today, together with her husband and her three daughters, she drove more than five hours to be here. With other young disciples, her daughters presented a beautiful Lotus Flower Dance. She said that Falun Gong has brought them happiness and peace. After practicing Falun Gong, she has become more dedicated to her work and more tolerant to her family. She was calling on kindhearted people to help stop the CCP's cruel persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and their families in China.
Hao Xiulan, who used to work with the Jilin Provincial Committee in China and was later rescued to Sweden by the United Nations, told of her experience after she began to cultivate and exposed the CCP persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. She was twice put into prison by police. Three practitioners with whom she was familiar were tortured to death, some have been sentenced to prison, and others have been repeatedly imprisoned and forced to do hard labor. She hoped that the Swedish people could clearly understand the evil nature of the CCP and not be deceived by it. She hopes that the Swedish people will add their voices in a call for justice and together end the brutal atrocities happening in China today.
It has been nine years since the CCP began the brutal persecution of this group of practitioners who believe in "Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance." It is difficult for many Swedes to understand how this could happen. They are, however, lining up to sign the 2008 "Millions of Signatures" Petition launched by the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong in China (CIPFG). CIPFG is composed of more than 400 parliament members, lawyers, and others from five continents.
Musician Sam Paris, who saw the last performance of the Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular on April 3rd, attended the activities with his four-year-old son.
Sam Paris has been traveling around the world for 12 years and giving performances in many famous theaters in the world. Although he does not understand Chinese, he could feel the sincerity of each song in the Spectacular. He remembered "Dafa is Good." He was gratified to be able to sign the petition.
Sam Parise and his four-year-old son sign the petition
Bjorn Netf, another person who signed the petition, is 59 years old. He added contact information for his friend in addition to signing the petition for himself.
Bjorn Netf, a psychologist, signed the petition against the persecution
He told a practitioner that his friend is George B. Martin, a historian who is 82 years old. Mr. Martin has been engaged in an institute for human rights and developmental research. He lived in China for 15 years and often talks with Bjorn about history and human rights. Mr. Martin is known as often saying, "As a human being, he should not only have his basic rights but also his obligations. This responsibility is that you should bravely stand up when needed." Mr. Netf added that he was quite clear about the problem with human rights in China and knew about the persecution of Falun Gong, but he had never imagined the persecution was so cruel. He said, "Stop the persecution! This is from the bottom of my heart." He recommended that practitioners get in touch with his friend in order to further explore specific measures to improve China's human rights situation.
Young Russians sign their names to support Falun Gong.
Those who signed the petition hailed from Germany, Finland, France, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Sweden. They included scholars, professional boxers, students, retired workers, and other prefessions. They solemnly signed their names in support of justice and kindness and saying "no" to the CCP's persecution.
On May 11th, practitioners again went to the Vasa Museum to hold activities promoting Falun Gong. They demonstrated the exercises and clarified the truth to local people. Mars, a practitioner from Stockholm, said, "We will, as always, clarify the truth so that more people will know the facts and recognize the evilness of the CCP and quit it as early as possible. Thus they can have a good future, and that is also our responsibility and obligation."
