UK: Falun Gong Practitioners Participate and Perform in the Edinburgh Easter Parade

The Edinburgh Easter Parade has become a special attraction during the Edinburgh Spring Festival and many people come and take a look. Falun Gong practitioners have been invited to take part in the parade twice. On April the 11th, performances by Falun Gong practitioners displaying traditional Chinese culture and art were warmly welcomed by local people.

Falun Gong practitioners were divided into three groups during the parade. The first represented Heavenly Beauties scattering flowers. The second was the parasol team, representing rotating Faluns. The third team was the waist-drummers. Melodious Chinese music could be heard everywhere on Princess Street. Falun Gong practitioners themselves choreographed the dances for this Easter activity, inspired by spring flowers, rain and thunder. Many photographers came to take pictures even before the cavalcade had begun and lots of tourists also came to take group photos as souvenirs.

Before and after the parade, Falun Gong practitioners demonstrated the exercises and also sang a song called ‘Coming for you’ in four-part harmony. The practitioners’ performance was warmly welcomed everywhere. Many warm-hearted Scots waved and greeted practitioners when they were walking on the street. Some of them even said, ‘Thank you, China!’ in Chinese.

Practitioners did a lot of preparation work for the parade. Some practitioners made costumes and items for the choir so that the performance would look more professional. Another practitioner specially composed and recorded a song as musical background for the waist-drummers. It really helped to make their performance more powerful and appealing.