Germany: Practitioners Help Celebrate Children's Day in Bremen

On August 21, 2011, Falun Gong practitioners took part in the celebration of Children’s Day in Bremen, Germany. This is the largest festival for children in Northern Germany, and about 50,000 people came to the event in People's Park.

Enthusiastic children sit around the table to learn how to fold paper lotus flower	Two girls show the paper lotus flower they made

In the event, Falun Gong practitioners set up a booth and showed children how to fold paper lotus flowers. While teaching children how to fold the colourful paper, practitioners told the parents about the symbolism of the lotus and the practice of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in daily life.

Bremen Sports Association has held this annual Children's day for 22 years. This year over 80 organizations and over 700 volunteers participated. The event’s theme was “Letting Children Be Strong.” Falun Gong practitioner Alina talked about her personal understanding regarding how Falun Dafa could help children be strong.

She said, “Falun Gong’s exercises are able to provide children with internal balance and strength. However, more important are the Falun Gong principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. If children can study these principles and try to practice them in their daily lives, for instance, at their schools, they will be able to have more inner strength. People who stick to these principles throughout their lives will be able to control themselves better, and to avoid being addicted to drugs and alcohol.”

Regarding the lotus flowers, Alina said, “When folding paper lotus flowers, I was asked quite often about their meaning. I told the mothers that the lotus flower is a symbol of beauty and purity. Though the lotus comes out of the mud, it is not polluted. We must have the desire to be good, and try to be really good people.”

During her talk, all the kids listened quietly. Some mothers commented that her explanation of the lotus was very meaningful.

Alina continued, “I explained to the kids about the bookmarks of Falun Dafa, and told them that we should be ready to help others and be friendly and polite to others. Once the kids know how to fold paper lotus flowers, they will be very proud, as they are not easy to make. Parents often take some Falun Gong informational materials back home. One of mothers was very pleased and said, “I never saw my child be so dedicated to doing one thing for such a long time!”