Canada: "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" Art Exhibition in Ottawa is Well Supported

A four-day "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" International Art Exhibition was held through October 11th, 2005 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada's capital.

The exhibition displayed 38 paintings of practitioners from various countries. More than 1000 visitors viewed the paintings. Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) David Kilgour, and Ottawa city councilmen Rainer Bloess and Jacques Legendre attended the ceremony. MP Kilgour and councilman Legendre gave congratulatory remarks. A number of lawyers, artists and assistants of MPs viewed the exhibition as well.

Uncompromising Spirit

The exhibition displayed paintings of practitioner artists from different countries. The paintings consist of four sections: "The Beauty of Cultivation," "Uncompromising Courage," "Calling for Justice," and "Justice Prevails."

MP David Kilgour speaks at the exhibition

In his congratulatory remarks, Kilgour said that humans long for a higher moral standard, and such a standard is related to the universal principles "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance." To every one of us, these principles are not from outside and they actually reside in our hearts. They are the values that we treasure including freedom and peace.

He also emphasized that the paintings were outcries of victims of the persecution, and directed people's attention to the ongoing persecution and the tribulations and sufferings of those who were being persecuted for their desire to live up to the universal principles.

Kilgour said that the message of the paintings was "Justice will Prevail," and those who were trying to destroy the spirit of peace and sincerity will eventually be brought to justice.

Xun Li, chairperson of the Canadian Falun Dafa Association, said that practitioners in Ottawa held the first exhibition of practitioners' paintings four and a half years ago. Time has proven that the beauty of Falun Dafa can't be suppressed and that the principles of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" are even more notable under the persecution. Today, the "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" International Art Exhibition has become a large-scale exhibition which has visited many countries around the world.

Mr. Li said that these paintings were not only drawn by brushes but also by practitioners' righteous beliefs and uncompromising spirits.

"I firmly believe that truth and justice are undefeatable." Li stated.

City councilman Legendre said that practitioners' efforts have allowed more people to learn about the ongoing brutal persecution in China, and that such efforts are bound to claim huge success in the future. Chinese leaders will eventually realise that they should welcome the "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" principles rather than suppress them.

The Exhibition Inspires People

At the exhibition site, the reporter met Toronto practitioner Zeng Xiaonan, whose mother has been sentenced to eight years in prison for practising Falun Gong and "clarifying truth" to people. In a prison, his mother was tortured and injected with unknown nerve-damaging drugs. Zeng said that the exhibition was a good way to clarify truth. He said, "These paintings visually depict the brutality of the persecution and help people understand what is really happening in China."

Visitors view the paintings

Xiaonan recounted his experience at the exhibition. He said that an older Chinese person was very upset by the paintings and spoke loudly stating that he didn't believe such torture could have happened in China. Xiaonan then told him his mother's experience. Gradually, the older gentleman calmed down and became speechless. There was another lady who was originally from Beijing and believed that the paintings had exaggerated the facts too much. Xiaonan then told her the experience of his mother and uncle (who died from force-feeding) as well as how practitioners fearlessly safeguard truth despite the persecution. The lady was touched and listened to him quietly.

A visitor named Anne said: "I enjoyed this exhibition very much. I have learned a lot from it and it renewed my respect for Falun Gong. Thank you very much. This is the best exhibition that I have ever seen."

Another visitor called the exhibition "a powerful depiction of justice Vs. evil and sorrow Vs. joy and hope."

According to organisers, the exhibition attracted more than 1000 visitors. Many were shocked or moved to tears. They successively expressed their hopes to learn more about Falun Gong and the ongoing persecution in China.