(Minghui.org) On May 13, 2012, practitioners from Croatia held activities in central Zagreb to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Falun Dafa's introduction to the public, and to promote the practice to local people. Practitioners also used this opportunity to raise awareness about the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China.

The practitioners started demonstrating the exercises and giving out information leaflets at 11:00 a.m. Soon after starting, an elderly couple approached the practitioners. The husband said, “I know about Falun Gong. We lived in China for a number of years--I know it's a very good thing. What a nice surprise to see you here in Croatia!”

Passersby learn about Falun Dafa

Many tourists were visiting the capital city over the weekend, and many were interested in the yellow banners, colorful lotus flowers, and exercise demonstration. Many children were drawn to the area, and some children were very pleased to learn the exercises on the spot. One mother was rushing by with her daughter and didn't take a leaflet, but the daughter came back, took the leaflet and said, “This is for me!” She then looked at the exercises and copied the practitioners' movements, before returning to her mother.

Practitioners demonstrate the exercises and speak to locals about Falun Dafa and the persecution in China

An elderly doctor who was on his Sunday walk came up to the information posters, and after reading them started speaking with a practitioner. He said he has been interested in Chinese medicine and qigong since 1963. He stated that in his belief, what is rooted in Chinese traditional culture is the only “real thing out there.” He enquired about where and how to learn the practice and said, “This practice is very good. I've always said that in order to have a healthy body, you first need to have a healthy spirit. I will read more about Falun Gong when I get home. I wish you a lot of success in your activities.” When he saw practitioners handing out leaflets to others, he said to the people, “Take it. This will help you. It's a great thing!” Before leaving he said, “What goes around comes around. Everything will go back to the original, best state. We are just going through a rough patch in the cycle.”

Another older gentleman talked to a practitioner and stated that human society is in a dangerous state when it moves away from God, and that the persecutory acts of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are evil. In the end, he stated, “By doing these horrible things, the CCP is preparing its own demise.”