France: Practitioners in Paris Celebrate World Falun Dafa Day

Falun Dafa practitioners in France held events at Place du Palais-Royal on May 9, 2021, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day, May 13, and send a birthday greeting to Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa.

It was a warm and sunny spring day. Practitioners dressed in bright yellow shirts started off the day's events by demonstrating the Falun Dafa exercises. They told tourists about the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in China and collected petition signatures condemning the persecution.

Practitioners celebrate May 13, World Falun Dafa Day, and wish Master Li a happy birthday.

Vanessa started practicing Falun Dafa in October 2017. She suffered from a rare disease that caused her great pain. Modern medicine couldn’t find the cause or treat it. Vanessa developed a bad temper due to her constant pain. She looked for any possible treatment in Vietnam and France in vain. One day, an acupuncturist suggested she try energy exercises. When Vanessa searched on the Internet, she found Falun Dafa. She learned the exercises from Master Li’s exercise instruction videos online and read the book Zhuan Falun. Now her disease is completely gone.

Vanessa said, “I was touched by Master’s teaching. It’s at a high level.” Following Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, Vanessa continues to improve herself. She said she used to think she was a good person, but cultivation made her see her shortcomings. Her husband, children, and colleagues witnessed how her health and personality improved, and they all credit Falun Dafa for her positive changes.

Levi began practicing Falun Dafa four years ago. She said that Master Li's teachings answered her questions about the meaning of life. By cultivating herself, she learned to control herself better and to follow Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in her daily life. She found that her life improved when her thoughts became more compassionate. She's now happier and more relaxed.

Practitioners demonstrate the Falun Dafa exercises.

Local resident Romain said, “The persecution makes me feel like we've gone backwards—to another century. We haven't learned from history. I signed the petition because I’m against what that immoral regime—the CCP—is doing, including the organ tourism, the suppression, and the forced labor re-education. All of these are appalling!”

Celine, a kindergarten teacher, said she had read the book Zhuan Falun in January and learned the exercises from online videos. She was happy to see so many practitioners doing the exercises together. After practicing Falun Dafa, she found life no longer so stressful. She stopped shouting at her students, and they became better-behaved. She also found herself more understanding of others. “I didn’t expect such positive changes in such a short time. I introduced Falun Dafa to my family. My mom has learned the exercises and plans to practice as well.”

Eduardo, a musician, said the CCP’s destruction of religious groups is terrifble and that it was hard to believe that such horror still exists in 2021. He said he supported the signature collection because it can help awaken people's conscience. “Your signature collection will push things forward and have people witness that more and more people are with you and supporting you,” he said.