Germany: Falun Gong Wins Second Prize at Freimarktumzug Parade in Bremen

On October 22, 2011, Falun Gong practitioners in northern Germany participated in the annual Freimarktumzug (Free Market Parade) in Bremen, the second largest harbour city in Germany. Practitioners’ float won second price among the 147 participants.

The Divine Land Marching Band in Europe in the parade in Bremen	The Lotus Dance by the Celestial Maidens wowed the spectators

Falun Gong wins second prize in the parade

Close to 200,000 spectators watched the parade. On the morning of October 22, anxious spectators gathered on either side of Gastfeldstrasse waiting to see the parade. Beginning on Pappelstrasse, the parade followed Bürgerweide, Bruecke, and Obernstrasse, and ended at the train station in the center of the city. Falun Gong had the largest entry, which included the Divine Land Marching Band in Europe, the float, and the Celestial Maidens. Practitioners from England, France, Austria, and Switzerland came to Germany to help the local practitioners with the event and to help show the world the beauty of Falun Dafa. The practitioners’ contingent drew praise from the spectators all the way: “(The band’s) costumes are so pretty,” “I like the music,” “The Lotus Dance is amazing,” “This is terrific! Are you coming back next year?” “Could you give me one of the lotus flowers?” “How did such a large band travel to Bremen?” Many spectators inquired about Falun Gong.

At 4 p.m., the judges announced that Falun Gong had won the second prize and awarded the practitioners a certificate of merit.