Taiwan: Falun Dafa Parade Introduces the "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance International Art Exhibition" in Taoyuan County

January 5th-13th, 2009, the "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance International Art Exhibition," which has toured in more than 40 cities globally, will be shown at the Taoyuan County Government Building. The exhibition has also toured in many schools in Taiwan and has been well received. On the afternoon of January 4th, the Falun Dafa Society, which sponsored the exhibition, held a parade to highlight the opening of the exhibition. The parade included The Divine Land Marching Band, The New Tang Dynasty Television Flag and Drum Team, The Heavenly Generals and Soldiers Team, the Float Fan Dance Team, and the "Celestial Maidens." The parade and the performances attracted many onlookers.

The parade started at the square in front of the county government building at 1:00 p.m., then proceeded along busy streets including Yongan Road and Chung Cheng Road. Although there was a drizzle, spectators were drawn to the lively procession. The purpose of the parade was to focus attention on the art exhibition in hopes of attracting people with predestined relationships. The activities ended at 4:00 p.m.

Spreading the Happiness of Cultivation and Urging People to Oppose the Persecution

Ms. Su, one of the curators of the show, told the reporter, "The works in the exhibition are a collection from many famous painters who practise Falun Gong from all over the world. They express the joy of cultivating Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and reveal the persecution of Falun Gong in China. Their intent is to raise more people's awareness of the many Falun Gong practitioners who are suffering unnecessary, inhumane hardships in China." Commenting on the paintings themselves, Ms. Su said, "From these realistic paintings, one can see the skill of the painters. Especially the expression in the eyes of the figures - they are so touching."

Ms. Chen was in the Falun Gong Exercise Demonstration Team. She told the reporter, "I have been practising Falun Gong for many years, and I feel the great improvements in both mind and body. We can practise Falun Gong unmolested in Taiwan, but in China, Falun Gong practitioners are persecuted. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) even harvests organs from healthy practitioners. We want to raise people's awareness about the Falun Gong human rights issue by holding different activities. The purpose of this exhibition is also to help people understand Falun Gong, support human rights and justice, and condemn the persecution."

Spreading the Truth Through Folk Arts

The Heavenly Generals and Soldiers Team, which is composed of tall men, was very eye-catching. The team director, Mr. Lu, told the reporter, "We want to use folk arts to attract people's attention. Our team is divided into three different ranks with different styles of uniforms. We have civil officials, generals, and soldiers." The team took turns performing different movements to convey the meaning of eliminating evil and protecting heaven and earth.

There was a grandmother in the Float Fan Dance Team, Ms. Luo, who is in her 70s. She danced very well. The team director, Mrs. Jiang, told the reporter, "We practise in our spare time. Many of us have never danced before, but after intensive practise, we can show the gentleness and beauty of the fan dance. Today we must have done very well."

People Accept Flyers with Smiles and Express their Gratitude

Mr. Huang is an employee in the Yintang Chinese Medical Center on Zhongshan Road. He watched the parade pass by. After hearing about the art exhibition, he asked, "Oh, is it Falun Gong? Great, I will be there, I appreciate it."

Ms. Lin, who works in a noodle shop accepted the flyers and said, "I have seen Falun Gong on TV, but I understand very little about it." When practitioners asked her to come to the exhibition, she answered, "OK, that's a good idea. Thank you very much."