(Clearwisdom.net) The Ninth Ukrainian Festival on Bloor Street of Toronto
entered its second day on Aug. 27, 2005, with more than twenty groups
participating in the 11 a.m. festival parade. It was the first time the Falun
Dafa Association was invited to take part in this largest Ukrainian festival in
North America as the only Chinese Canadian group. About 300,000 people were
attracted to this activity according to sponsor's estimate.
 
Falun Dafa procession |
Falun Gong practitioners' dance performance |
Twelve motorcycles led the parade from High Park to Jane Street. Among the
participants were the Ukrainian Youth Band, and organizations, music and dance
schools and day care centers in the Ukrainian community.
The Falun Dafa parade, composed of a drum troupe, fan dance, Taiwanese
mountain dance and exercise demonstration, was in the middle of the procession.
Falun Gong practitioners' bright banner that read, "Falun Dafa Is
Good," their resonant drums and beautiful dances were refreshing and
energizing.
A Falun Gong practitioner introduces Falun Dafa to a parade spectator. |
Parade spectators give Falun Gong practitioners waves of applauses |
There are very few Chinese Canadians in Ukrainian Town, so it was the first
time that most people had heard about Falun Dafa. A Ukrainian mother asked the
reporter, "What is Fa?" Falun Gong practitioners also received similar
questions from parade spectators. The warm Ukrainian Canadians rewarded the
Falun Gong parade with applause and cheers. Many took pictures with Falun Gong
practitioners.
People sign their names in support of Falun Gong. |
Ukrainian performers take group photos with Falun Gong practitioners. |
A couple told the reporter that such a beautiful performance should be
included in the stage performances in the afternoon and evening. They were very
happy to know that Falun Dafa Association would be there.
An elderly lady put down her crutch and started dancing with some young women
Falun Gong practitioners.
Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Li, who was the contact person for this activity,
told the reporter that she heard about the festival on the internet. She sent an
email to the sponsor but didn't hear anything back until two weeks before the
festival. Ms. Li said that many people in this community hadn't had the chance
to hear about Falun Gong. But today, many of them signed to support Falun Gong
and to call for the end of the persecution.
