By Dafa practitioners in Illinois, USA
(Clearwisdom.net) On September 13, 2003, we participated in an annual large-scale Religion
and Culture Festival held in Belleville, a city located in southern Illinois. Groups and individuals
from different nationalities, religious beliefs, and cultural backgrounds displayed their unique
styles and characteristics to foster mutual exchange and understanding. This year, the sponsor
specifically invited Falun Gong practitioners to participate as representatives of the traditional
Chinese culture. When we contacted the sponsor prior to the activity, we introduced to them the characteristics of
Falun Gong, the widespread practice of Falun Dafa around the world, and its persecution in China.
The sponsors were very friendly and offered us many conveniences. The location of our booth was
quite good for demonstrating the Falun Dafa exercises and the sponsor even provided us with a large
TV and video player so that we could show the exercise instruction video. We performed the Lotus Dance and sang songs composed by Dafa practitioners on the large stage.
Most of the time we demonstrated the exercises at our booth. Many visitors were attracted by our
elegant and peaceful demonstration, and came up to ask for materials and more information. Some
people wanted to learn the exercises right there on the spot. Some other people learned the facts
about Falun Gong and said that they would tell more people about Falun Gong so that we could work
together to stop the brutal persecution in China. At dinner that evening we continued to talk with people from different groups. Many people did
not know much about Falun Gong before. Today, they saw it for themselves and showed great interest.
Some groups left contact information for us, and they invited our practitioners to introduce Falun
Gong to more people in their groups. The activity from beginning to end was very successful with everyone working together
harmoniously.
Posting date: 9/22/2003
Original article date: 9/21/2003
Category: Falun Dafa Worldwide
Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2003/9/18/57568.html