UK Celebrations of World Falun Dafa Day

Practitioners from all parts of the UK held two-day celebrations (on Sunday 12th and Monday 13th May) on the occasion of the 3rd World Falun Dafa Day and the 10th Anniversary of the introduction of Falun Dafa to the public.

The following is a report of Sunday 13th's activities in London:

Activities were held outside the popular Tate Gallery of Modern Art that is located on the south bank of the River Thames in London. An exhibition of the artist Picasso's paintings was being shown in the Gallery and a few thousand people came to visit it. Outside the Gallery, various forms of celebration took place. Banners with celebration messages, posters showing the worldwide awards attributed to Teacher Li Hongzhi and Dafa and other materials were displayed. A stage was set up with 2 big lotus flowers on it. Practitioners showed the Falun Gong exercises, sang Dafa songs and played Dafa music. Many people stopped, watched and took leaflets. Some people learnt exercises on site after talking to practitioners. Children passing by were given balloons with Dafa words on. Free Chinese Calligraphy drew a lot attention. People lined up for it and left with Dafa information. Many positive comments were received, such as "this is beautiful", "wonderful". In the afternoon a march was held from the south side via a walking bridge to the north side of the River Thames. After the walk all practitioners sang "Falun Dafa is good" and sent greetings to Teacher Li.

In the evening, a party was held in Central London. During the party practitioners shared how they had benefited from practising Dafa and a TV programme [in both English and Chinese] showing the practice of Falun Dafa in over 50 countries was also shown. A non-practitioner said after watching the TV programme, "Falun Gong is good" and realised "it is my last chance to be saved". Dafa songs, music and dance in Tang Dynasty dresses were performed. A group of Chinese and Western children sang songs and one of the little girls played the Pudu Falun Gong music on her violin. Western practitioners recited Chinese poems written by Teacher Li. Free food, prepared by the practitioners, was also served.

All practitioners who joined the event felt the harmony generated by the group effort. During the preparations, there had been some disagreements on how to run the event but everyone involved realised that we all have attachments to let go of. In the end, we had such a wonderful day.

13th May 2002