Seattle: Falun Gong Practitioners Participate in 29th Chinatown International District Summer Festival (Photos)

By a Falun Dafa Practitioner in Washington State

(Clearwisdom.net) The 29^th Seattle Chinatown International District Summer
Festival was held on July 11 and July 12, 2004. This annual event in the greater Seattle area is a great venue for Asian Chinese to introduce their culture, cuisine, handicrafts, health building, religions and Chinese community organizations to other ethnic groups. It was the fifth time that Falun Gong practitioners have participated in the festival.

Falun Gong practitioners give a dance performance, "Flower Fairy."

Falun Gong practitioners introduce the world-wide spread of Falun Dafa and tell people about the persecution of Falun Gong in China in both English and Cantonese.

Many Chinese look through the display and ask for truth-clarification materials.

Many Chinese look through the display and ask for truth-clarification materials.

Traditional art performances by different organizations were the focus of attention. Wonderful performances were given one after another on the "Dagon Stage" of Xiqing Park during the two days of the festival. The audience was fascinated with Falun Gong practitioners' graceful and beautiful dance, "Flower Fairy." Right before their dance, two Falun Gong practitioners, one in English and the other in Cantonese, introduced the world-wide spread of Dafa, told people about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, and explained that the dance showed the kindness and beauty of women in cultivation. Three women Falun Gong practitioners danced gracefully to the music. At this moment, the sun came out, the audience and the stage were merged in bright sunshine and the beauty of Dafa as if it were beyond this world.

A tourist from Hong Kong came to talk with Falun Gong practitioners after their performance. He said he noticed the atmosphere was very special during the dance. He believed that such practitioners wouldn't want to be involved in politics. Falun Gong practitioners took this opportunity to clarify the truth to him and cleared up his confusion about Falun Gong.

Many more people, especially Chinese, learned the true story of Falun Gong than in previous years. Crowds of people visited the Falun Gong booth and learned how to fold paper lotus flowers. The lotus symbolizes virtue that remains unstained in a filthy environment--an understanding of life that Falun Gong practitioners wanted to share with others. After learning about the persecution in China, many people took the initiative to sign their names to request the Washington State Government to help these innocent Chinese people. Falun Gong display boards and exercise demonstrations fascinated many tourists.

A woman came to the Falun Gong booth on behalf of her religious group. She had strongly opposed Falun Gong during last year's activity; however, her view of Falun Gong had drastically changed this year. She had gained a complete understanding of Falun Gong practitioners' truth clarification against the persecution.

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