Toronto Practitioners Perform at Canada's Liberal Party Barbecue Festivity (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) The annual celebration of Canada's ruling Liberal Party was held on August 17, and the Guangming Dance Group composed of Toronto Dafa practitioners was invited to perform.

This was one of the biggest activities of the Liberal Party. Participants have included in the past included Canada's Prime Minister, other Ministers, MPs and VIPs representing different groups. This year was not an exception. Over 40 MPs and Ministers joined the fun event.

The barbecue was held in an open space behind 4 families' backyards. The "down-home" atmosphere was natural and congenial. When the party started, the host announced that the Guangming Dance Group of Toronto Falun Dafa practitioners had been invited to perform and the practitioners then opened the show for the audience. After the MP's introduction, one practitioner gave a short introduction, thanking the government and people of Canada for supporting Falun Gong practitioners' right to pursue Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Accompanied by the music of Pu Du, six young practitioners started to dance. Their performance was as pure and compassionate as the lotus flowers in their hands. A 14 year-old practitioner played the Gu Zheng (an ancient Chinese music instrument), and a solo dance, " A Flower," and sword dance followed. The last performance was "Beautiful Tang Dynasty," which depicted ladies' lives in the Tang Dynasty. A practitioner told the audience that during this most prosperous period of Chinese history, ladies also emphasized inner cultivation and playing musical instruments, painting, etc. in addition to their work. It is because beauty comes from within. The practitioners' performances won warm applause. The hosting MP took the stage after the performance and thanked the practitioners in Chinese, "Xie Xie!" ("Thank you!"). He continued and said that the Canadian government must make clear to the Chinese government that the persecution of Falun Gong must stop and that he would make sure this happened. The audience applauded. Many people said they just learned today that China had such beautiful culture and history.

After the performances, Mr. Cullen said, "A few days ago I lead a delegation to visit Taiwan and saw Falun Gong practitioners everywhere. In Canada we also welcome Falun Gong wholeheartedly. We will continue to call upon the Chinese government to put an end to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners." Then practitioners with beautiful costumes merged in with the guests. Many MPs took photos with practitioners and expressed their continuing support of Falun Gong. Among the practitioners present were those with family members who are currently persecuted in Chinese prisons and labour camps for their practice of Falun Gong. Many MPs and others showed their concern and promised to help. Some MPs asked practitioners why they did not distribute Dafa information to guests. Practitioners said that through these performances they had expressed their appreciation to the Canadian government and MPs and also showed Dafa's magnificence to the Canadian people.

Because some late-arriving guests missed the show, they asked the host to add more performances by Dafa practitioners. At 6 p.m. after the Ministers made their speeches, the host announced that the Falun Gong practitioners would come back to perform again "by popular demand". The organizers intentionally delayed the practitioners' second performance to coincide with the media's arrival so that the TV could broadcast the practitioners' performance live on the 6 o'clock news. Many sincerely applauded the excellent performances by practitioners. More MPs expressed that the Canadian government must stand in solidarity with Falun Gong. Some MPs invited the Guangming Dance Group to perform in their ridings. One MPP who is very supportive of Dafa saw the practitioners' performances and said that he really must do something more to help. He said, "It's been a while since we have done something together--I owe you one!"

Many media were present at the event, including City TV. In the relaxed atmosphere, the practitioners also had the opportunity to speak with the media and further clarify the truth of Dafa. Some media were very open and spoke with the practitioners. The entire event, including the practitioners' performances was broadcast live on the internet by the Liberal Party.

Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2002/8/20/35244.html

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