Finland: Introducing Falun Gong to the Finnish People at the 'World Village'

The World Village, which is held once a year in Helsinki, was again held in Kaisaniemi Park near the central railway station. On May 26th and 27th, 2007, Falun Gong practitioners took the opportunity to meet the Finnish people and let them know about Falun Gong. They had already rented a place, prepared leaflets and some folded lotus flowers.

Though it was raining heavily on the morning of the 26th and the ground was muddy, people still came with huge interest. The rhythms of different countries, varieties of arts, crafts and food, all these made it busy. Falun Gong practitioners welcomed the people passing-by.

One elderly man told the practitioners that he worked at the WTO and had been to the Chinese mainland as well as Hong Kong. He felt that public opinion can be shown from top to bottom because Finland is a democratic country. While in China, all the things are pressed from the bottom up. He also said, it is because that practitioners have the ability to think alone, to recognise right and wrong, that makes the CCP find hard to govern, so they persecute Falun Gong. "I know Falun Gong isn’t a political organisation", he said. At last he said, "It is quite hard for you that you can insist on it under this great pressure. Good luck!"

A university teacher from Turku told the practitioners his many students know that the CCP persecutes Falun Gong, but they do not know Falun Gong itself. So they always ask him and he also has great interest in it. He talked with practitioners for a long time and bought Zhuan Falun, the main text of Falun Dafa, and the introductory exercise video tape.

A lady came to sign to express her support and said, she lived near the Chinese Embassy and can see the practitioners put up the banners there. "You have done well, I support you", she said.

Another lady also came to sign, she said to the practitioners that she saw the practitioners there when she went to the Chinese Embassy to apply for a visa several times. "You did it right, I support you", she said.

Two young people were very surprised when they read the information in the leaflets that the CCP are harvesting Falun Gong practitioners’ organs while they are still alive. They asked how this cruel thing could happen nowadays, it was totally inconceivable. When practitioners told them that this persecution was still going on, they signed to condemn the persecution immediately.

Many people appreciated the beautiful folded lotus flowers and some started to learn how to make them right away. Holding the lotus flowers in their hands, they seemed to understand the beauty of Falun Gong and many asked for the address and time of the Helsinki exercise venue. Practitioners then gave them detailed information and contact telephone numbers.