(Minghui.org) In Taiwan, Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) is regarded as the symbol of traditional Chinese culture, and practitioners are regularly invited to all kinds of community events and festival celebrations.

Falun Gong practitioners in Kaohsiung were invited to participate in an annual cultural celebration held in Liugui District on November 16-24, 2013.

This is the first celebration held in the area after it was severely devastated by Typhoon Morakot in 2009. Local government officials invited the practitioners and thanked them for coming.

Liugui and two other mountainous areas that were struck by the typhoon, Baolai and Jiasian, are located in the Central Mountain Range. When the Divine Land Marching Band performed, the music resounded through the mountains, attracting a large number of people who came to listen.

Practitioners were invited to participate in the cultural celebration held in Liugui District, Kaohsiung City on November 16-24, 2013.

Kaohsiung City Mayor Thanks Falun Gong Practitioners for Bringing Caring and Love to People in the Typhoon-Affected Area

Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chu attended the celebration. She gave a speech welcoming practitioners who came to participate and bring their compassion to people in the typhoon-affected areas.

Mayor Chen Chu accepts an informational flyer, DVD and a beautiful handmade lotus flower from practitioners

The Divine Land Marching Band's uplifting performance resounded throughout the mountains.

Practitioners bring blessings to residents in the Jiasian area, which was severely devastated by Typhoon Morakot. The photo shows the Falun Gong group passing through the recently rebuilt Jiasian Bridge.

Residents in the remote mountainous area read informational flyers about Falun Gong, and are eager to learn it's good message.

The Divine Land Marching Band's resounding, majestic music attracted people and business owners along the parade route who came out to watch and take photos.

Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Brings Hope

Liugui District Director Sung Gui-long thanks Falun Gong practitioners for bringing blessings to the local people.

Liugui District Director Mr. Sung said, “You bring the spirit of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance to society, and bring hope and positive inspiration. You play an educational role in society.”

The Falun Gong practitioners' Divine Land Marching Band performed in Baolai Village, which was famous for its hot spring and for being the most popular tourist attraction in the Liugui area. The typhoon demolished several major bridges, so the area was cut off and tourists stopped coming. The Divine Land Marching Band paraded around the area and performed in the tourist center. Many residents and business owners along the parade route came out to appreciate their performance.

Jiasian District Director Mr. Lee Yun-hsin sent a special invitation to have the Divine Land Marching Band come to his district. He followed the marching band all the way during the parade and enjoyed their inspiring music.

Jiasian District Director Mr. Lee Yun-hsin (1 ^st on the right) led the Divine Land Marching Band to parade in the area.

Mr. Lee spoke through a loudspeaker, “Let's first welcome the Divine Land Marching Band. Falun Gong practitioners have made great contributions to Taiwan and the world. Falun Gong purifies people's minds and practitioners spare no effort in promoting social welfare. We welcome them and hope that they will return often.”

Mr. Lee said, “I've read on the news how the Chinese Communist regime persecutes practitioners in China. That should never have happened.” He said, “Falun Gong improves society, and has done a great job in education.”

Since 2009, the Kaohsiung City government has invested a great deal of money and manpower to rebuild the areas severely devastated by the typhoon. Falun Gong practitioners brought people in the mountainous areas the uplifting message of Falun Dafa, and hope the people will have a wonderful future.