Germany: Celebrating World Falun Dafa Day

May 13 was the 21st World Falun Dafa Day and the 28th anniversary of the introduction of Falun Dafa to the public. Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) practitioners across Germany had celebratory activities to mark the occasion.

Practitioners in Dusseldorf Celebrate World Falun Dafa Day
Falun Dafa practitioners from Dusseldorf and surrounding areas gathered in front of the old city hall on May 16, 2020 to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

May 13, 2020 is the 28th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction and the 21st World Falun Dafa Day. It is also Mr. Li Hongzhi's (the founder) birthday. Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) practitioners across the world held activities to mark this special occasion.

Falun Dafa practitioners from Dusseldorf held events on May 16, 2020 to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day

Practitioners set up large banners and demonstrated the exercises. One practitioner told passersby about Falun Dafa via a loudspeaker. During the event, practitioners also exposed the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution and its destructive nature.

Practitioners made large lotus flowers, and the practitioners in the first row sat inside them. The beautiful scene attracted people's attention, and many stopped and took fliers in various languages. Some talked with the practitioners to learn more about Falun Gong.

Practitioners told people about Falun Dafa's principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. They also talked about how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) persecutes practitioners, and pointed out that the CCP does not represent China.

The pandemic is a hot topic these days. One practitioner pointed out the destructive nature of the CCP by explaining how it covered up the initial coronavirus outbreak, which led to this worldwide pandemic.

“This coronavirus has shown the world the CCP's true nature. Throughout its numerous political movements it has spread lies and used violence to maintain power,” he said.

The speech drew many passersby, who stopped to listen. One man asked if he could get a copy of it. An elderly man was very touched and said, “Thank you! God blesses you.”

Group Practice in Front of Brandenburg Gate at Berlin
Practitioners demonstrated the Falun Dafa exercises while some held large banners. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Berlin government bans gatherings of over 50 people. So some practitioners could not participate in this event.

Group practice in front of the Brandenburg Gate at Berlin on May 13

Passersby were much fewer than before. Those passing by paused to watch the exercise demonstration and asked for fliers. Some learned the exercises from practitioners.

“I came here to tell more people about Falun Dafa,” said practitioner Boris Suchin. “I wish to express my gratitude to Master Li (the founder) today.”

Suchin started practising Falun Dafa 17 years ago. He suffered from lumbar disc herniation. He sought a way to gain better health.

Two passersby learn Falun Dafa

He once saw some practitioners in a park and talked with them. One practitioner gave him the book Zhuan Falun, the main book of Falun Dafa. Since then he started practising it.

“My lumbar disc herniation disappeared,” he said. He started to think of others and looked within when facing conflicts. Under his influence, his son started practising it too.

“I was very interested in qigong,” practitioner Stephan Brotze said. “I searched qigong online and found Falun Dafa.”

He then learned Dafa by himself for half a year at home in 2010. Later he joined a local group practice site and started practising it.

“Practising Falun Dafa makes my mind clear. I become more focused after doing the sitting meditation.”

Celebrating World Falun Dafa Day in Hamburg
Falun Dafa practitioners gathered at Jungfernstieg, Hamburg to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

Falun Dafa practitioners demonstrate the exercises at Jungfernstieg in Hamburg

Practitioners demonstrated the exercises. One practitioner read an open letter to raise awareness of the preciousness of Falun Dafa. Passersby came forward to pick up fliers and asked for practice sites. Some signed the petition against the persecution.

A practitioner reads an open letter to raise awareness about the preciousness of Falun Dafa

“I cannot describe my feeling with words,” Peter from the Netherlands said after hearing about the Chinese Communist Party's persecution and state-sanctioned organ harvesting from living practitioners. “Live organ harvesting is horrible. I think it is good for you to let the public know about it.”

“I have goosebumps on my entire body. It is horrible,” said Angera, a local resident. “The brutality is beyond imagination. I just signed the petition because I think everyone should speak out against this horrible act and help stop the persecution.”