Czech Republic: Zhang Cuiying holds a Successful Exhibition in the Parliament

Between January the 23rd and January the 27th, Chinese-Australian painter Zhang Cuiying’s art exhibition could be seen inside the Parliament building of the Czech Republic in Prague. Mrs. Zhang, known for both her beautiful traditional Chinese art and her time in a Chinese labour camp after peacefully speaking out against the persecution of the Chinese spiritual practice of Falun Dafa, is currently on a European tour with her paintings. During the tour, she is also bringing attention to the serious human rights violations against Falun Gong practitioners by telling her own story and talking about the harsh situation that many Falun Dafa practitioners are enduring in Mainland China.

A member of the Czech parliament, Dr. Zverina, opened the exhibition on Monday February the 23rd with the following words:

“I am very happy that we were successful in bringing this sympathetic artist and her exhibition to Prague, an artist whose work and life-story I acquainted myself with last year. I must say that one is always moved when witnessing the plight of such a victim and such injustices as in this case, the injustices against the system of values of Falun Gong, which is not aggressive or dangerous by any means: they are decent people. I hope that the exhibition will also convince you that these are people who have the most honourable intentions towards our world in their minds.”

Members of the Czech Parliament, diplomats and others attended the exhibition’s opening ceremony. One of the most famous painters in the Czech Republic was also present. After seeing the exhibition she commented, “I have to bring my students here to see what real art is!” Three ladies working in the parliament all said similar things to one of the exhibition organisers. They said they felt wonderful after seeing the paintings, that the paintings were moving and emitted energy, and that although they had seen similar paintings in the parliament before, none had touched them like this. One of them said this was the best art exhibition in her twenty five years working in the parliament building. One person even wanted to learn to practise Falun Gong.

Many politicians were interested in her art and Mrs. Zhang gave away many copies of her paintings, with specially handwritten wishes: “May the Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance of Falun Dafa bring you happiness”.

Although the exhibition was held in the parliament building, it was open for the public to see. During one evening, an information event was held for the public. A Chinese TV station came and filmed the opening of the exhibition. The main news bureau of the Czech Republic and a local magazine produced to help homeless people also came to report on the event.