(Clearwisdom.net) The annual summer art festival in Sanzhi Township, Taipei County, Taiwan, started on July 5, 2008, and will continue for two months. The Falun Dafa Divine Land Marching Band was invited to perform at the opening ceremony for the first time.

Divine Land Marching Band performs at the art festival in Sanzhi Township, Taipei, Taiwan

Yuan Gong-Jin, head of the Culture Division of Sanzhi Township Hall, said that the art festival was suitable for young people and families to attend. Yuan said that the festival lets residents in Sanzhi see national-class cultural performances, and helps to spread seeds of art and promote social culture.

On the afternoon on July 5, 2008, the Divine Land Marching Band started their march from Coffee Street. The members were dressed in traditional costumes and marched in a orderly fashion, playing songs including "Falun Dafa is Good," "Fa Drums and Trumpets Shock the Ten Dimensions," and "Joyous Song."

Divine Land Marching Band marches in Sanzhi Township

A man riding with his grandson stopped to take a Falun Dafa flyer

Patrol officer reads a Falun Dafa flyer after the march

Along the route, clerks and customers in shops came out to watch. Practitioners dressed as celestial maidens handed out Falun Dafa flyers. Some passersby enthusiastically asked for flyers and paper lotus flowers. One lady said she had never seen such a grand parade, and it made her feel very excited. A man watched the march and made a thumbs-up gesture and shouted, "Good!"

One woman praised the beautiful costumes worn by the band members. She said, "They are so pretty. The band members look like celestial soldiers and we welcome them here!" Many people watched the march, and even those on bicycles took out their cameras to take pictures of the band. Some parents ran out of their houses with their children to obtain flyers and lotus flowers. Many residents waved their hands to show their warm welcome.

At 7:00 p.m., the Tang style music concert began. The loud music broke the silence of the summer evening. Following the music was a performance by the NTDTV Flag and Drum Troupe. They performed classical Chinese dance, singing, a piano solo, and a chorus singing. Hua Tsun-Hsin said that the performance looked very professional and was so impressive it touched her soul. Ms. Wen said she was excited to see the classical Chinese Dunhuang Dance. The crowd gave the team warm applause.

Ms. Chien has lived in Sanzhi for a long time. She said that she hopes to see the Divine Land Marching Band and the NTDTV Flag and Drum Troupe perform again in the art festival in Sanzhi because Falun Gong practitioners brought the residents a unique summer evening.