United Kingdom: European Divine Land Marching Band Performs in London’s Chinatown

Since it was founded at the end of 2006, the European Divine Land Marched Band - composed of Falun Gong practitioners from many countries in Europe - has performed in many places such as France, Germany and Denmark. Wherever it goes, people who see the performance are delighted by the powerful and majestic music played by the Celestial Band. On August 3rd 2007, approximate 100 members of the band gave a brilliant performance in central London, in which it was the first time for new members of the band from UK to participate as well. Although, the members of the Band are of different ages, using different languages and different musical instruments, the music comes from the bottom of their hearts and is sending out the strongest voice: Falun Dafa is Good!

On the morning of August 3rd, the band was doing a rehearsal in a park in East London. Radiant sunshine was illuminating the lawn of the park. The bandsmen in blue and white looked clear and bright, with a blue sky and white clouds overhead. The metal musical instruments in their hands were, sending dazzling light in the sunshine. One practitioner from London saw the performance for the first time. She was so moved by the music that her eyes were immediately moist with tears. An English lady who took her two children to walk could not tear herself away from the music and she was listening to it for about an hour. While passing by, a father and his daughter, stopped and looked at the rehearsal for a while, eagerly asking a practitioner: “What is Falun Dafa?” They left with satisfaction when they got a leaflet.

The European Divine Land Marching Band performing in Leicester Square in the centre of London

In the afternoon, the band performed in Leicester Square Garden close to China Town. As soon as the band with near 100 members turned out, they immediately attracted people’s attention in all directions. At the front and rear of the band were outspread banners reading “Falun Dafa”, “Falun Dafa is Good” and “The World Needs Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance”. The performance drew a large number of people. They were cheerfully watching and enjoying the performance including some Chinese revealing gladness in their eyes. People accepted leaflets about Falun Gong and postcards introducing the European Divine Land Marching Band reading “All members of the Celestial Band hope to demonstrate the kindness and goodness of Falun Dafa through the beauty of the music.” During the interval, using a microphone, a practitioner told the audience about the band, Falun Dafa, and the Chinese communist regime’s persecution against Falun Gong, which has lasted for eight years.

The European Celestial Band performing in Chinatown

The band also went to perform in China Town. On hearing the music, the Chinese people in China Town came, one after another, out of their shops to watch. What they first saw was the banner of “Falun Dafa” glittering in the sun, and then a huge band composed of Chinese and western faces. Many Chinese accepted Falun Gong leaflets. A small number of people did not accept the leaflets but they did not go away. They stood watching, with shocked expressions. After the performance in China Town, the Band went back to Leicester Square Garden. With applause, they ended their brilliant performance.