Norway: People Learn More About the Persecution of Falun Gong at the Oslo Autumn Festival (Photos)
(Clearwisdom.net) Saturday was a day of constant rain in Oslo,
Norway's capital. But it was also the day of the Oslo Autumn Festival, an annual
event where the shops in the center of the city entice people to go shopping. So
it was likely that there would be a lot of people in the city this weekend. The
weekend was also the start of a Chinese cultural festival, a week-long
celebration of Chinese culture and fifty years of relations between Norway and
the People's Republic of China.
Falun Gong practitioners thought this would be a very good opportunity to let
people know the truth about Falun Gong and its persecution in China. They
obtained permission for a display in one of the busiest places in the city
center, a small market square in the middle of the bustling Karl Johan Street.
They demonstrated the five sets of Falun Gong exercises, displayed several
torture methods used on Falun Gong practitioners in Chinese labor camps and
prisons, collected petition signatures in support of Falun Gong, distributed
flyers, and talked with the local people.
Despite the rain, people stopped or came by to take a look at the exhibition.
Many showed genuine concern about the situation and signed the petition. Many
were surprised upon seeing the anti-torture exhibition, and asked if this kind
of thing really still happens these days. Practitioners could then tell them the
facts about the persecution.
Many people wanted to know the deeper meaning behind Falun Gong, and some
also wanted to know where they could go to learn the exercises. They were really
surprised when they learned that Falun Gong classes are always free of charge.
Altogether, people had a very positive attitude towards the practitioners,
despite the bad weather.
Sunday was a day of fair weather and sunshine. The combination of good
weather and this special event helped our activities to be successful. As on
Saturday, practitioners had a display on Egertorvet. The festival commenced with
a parade, the route of which passed through Egertorvet. As it happened, the
parade stopped there, so all those who participated got a good look at Falun
Gong practitioners practicing the exercises. Everywhere you could only see
happy, smiling people. Many people from the parade came forward to our stand to
take some information materials.
One of the practitioners remembers, "As the Chinese parade stopped in front
of us, I was distributing flyers. Suddenly, six Chinese adolescents, all girls,
left the parade and came towards me. They were looking at my yellow jacket. On
it is printed 'Falun Dafa Hao'. One of the girls said 'Falun Dafa is Good.'
I thought she was translating, so I started to explain that it was legal to
be a practitioner in all countries except China, that we could stand in the
middle of the street, that the police knew we were here, etc. She looked at me
and said that they knew Falun Gong is good. It was just the government who did
not know. Everyone knew Falun Gong was good. They were sorry that they could not
go home and tell people, because Falun Gong was outlawed and they were scared.
They thanked me for being in the street and telling people about Falun Gong, the
persecution, and the torture. They thanked us for wanting to help them."
Another practitioner stated, "I noticed two people who were chatting with a
practitioner for a long time. One of them came over to me to sign the petition.
He was upset and said that everyone should sign; he was embarrassed about all
the people who just passed by without signing. Then he went back to chatting
again. I overheard him repeat that he was embarrassed and ashamed over those who
passed by, without signing."
A practitioner talking with two elderly ladies explained how one did the
exercises and tried to live according to the values of Truthfulness, Compassion,
and Forbearance, whereby one of them spontaneously exclaimed, "Oh, I need that!"
Now they wish to learn more about Falun Gong.
On this beautiful day, tourists and citizens of Oslo, Chinese as well as
Norwegians, could all experience the harmony and happiness that Falun Dafa gives
to people who want to cultivate!
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