The annual Montreal Santa Claus Parade was held on November 21st, 2009. The Falun Dafa Divine Land Marching Band was invited to take part in this traditional event for the third consecutive year. Being the only Chinese group in the entire parade procession, the Divine Land Marching Band stood out with its bright costumes and spirited performance. Spectators on the parade route gave the band a warm welcome and high praise.
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| The Falun Dafa Divine Land Marching Band participates in the Montreal Christmas Parade on November 21st, 2009 |
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| Local French television station TVA broadcast the parade live |
A woman and her husband brought their children to watch the Santa Claus Parade. The woman said, "Today's parade was great. My children were very pleased, and did not want to miss any group, particularly that Chinese marching band. Their music was impressive."
Ms. Li who moved to Montreal several months ago from China said, "I brought my daughter today to watch the Christmas parade, and I also want to experience the atmosphere of Christmas celebration here." She said, "It's the first time that I saw such a parade. It's different from parades held in mainland China. It makes me feel relaxed and happy."
The parade set off from Du Fort Street at 11:00 a.m., went along Saint-Catherine Street and headed eastward. More than 300, 000 spectators watched it on the parade route. Local television station TVA broadcast the parade live.
The Montreal Divine Land Marching Band that was formed three years ago has participated in the Christmas parade for three consecutive years, and has become very popular in Montreal. It has been invited by different parade organisers. Today the band was composed of more than a hundred practitioners who were from New York, Toronto and Montreal. It was the entry with the largest number in the entire parade procession. The Divine Land Marching Band played music selections, "Falun Dafa Is Good," "Delivering Treasures," "Fa Trumpets and Fa Drums Shake the World of Ten Directions," "Falun Holy King" and "Jingle Bells," and received a warm response from spectators on the parade route. Many people danced to the music, applauded and cheered.
Jiang Fan who coordinates the Toronto Divine Land Marching Band has participated in parades in Montreal five times. He said that Montreal is Canada's cultural capital, and that people here have deep understanding and love for culture. The Montreal Santa Claus Parade has its unique characteristics, and also manifests multiple-faceted and tolerant features of the Canadian culture. He was pleased to take part in such an event and see the spectators' enthusiastic response.
Mr. Liang from the New York Divine Land Marching Band said that it was the third time that they came to participate in the parade in Montreal. Seeing so many spectators enjoy their performance, he felt it worthwhile to make the long trip.
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