Italy: Practitioners Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Falun Dafa’s Public Introduction

May 13, 2012 was World Falun Dafa Day and also the 20th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction to the world. On this day of celebration, Falun Gong practitioners in Italy held an event near a renowned, ancient castle (Castello Sforzesco). The day was also the 61st birthday of Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Gong.

Falun Gong practitioners in Italy express their gratitude to Master Li	Meditation in front of the Castello Sforzesco
Demonstrating the exercises in front of the Castello Sforzesco	An Italian mother kneels in front of display boards, and explains the persecution to her child
A practitioner speaks with passers by about Falun Gong	A woman signs the petition to support Falun Gong

A Falun Gong practitioner, Madam Luo, shared her wonderful experience from practising Falun Gong with others. Madam Luo’s son originally had allergies, and sometime could not even lead a normal life. Taking medicine was not effective as the condition would return again. Madam Luo was worried and felt helpless. She told her son, "I cannot find an alternative, you’d better practice Falun Gong!" Her words actually were just meant to let him take a chance, but unexpectedly her son became totally well after practising Falun Gong for just a short period of time. "In the past, he needed to take or apply medicine, but now he no longer needs it."

Madam Luo admired the effects of Falun Gong. Led by her son, Madam Luo started to practice Falun Gong herself.

Due to a serious kidney condition caused by working too hard, Madam Huang nearly lost her ability to work. Through practising Falun Dafa, she regained her health and happiness. She said: "I hope more people will learn what Falun Gong is. Falun Gong is truly great—practising Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance can bring both physical and mental benefits."

Madam Ge has practised Falun Gong for just two years, and this was her first time participating in the annual celebration of World Falun Dafa Day. She felt touched and honoured. "To be able to practice Falun Gong, for me, is the greatest blessing. Especially when I see these practitioners being so diligent, I'm strongly moved. I feel that, as I practise Falun Gong, I should be more diligent and do better."

The celebration was held on a pedestrian mall that was named after a great writer, Dante, the author of the Divine Comedy. By demonstrating Falun Dafa exercises, Falun Gong practitioners celebrated World Falun Dafa Day, while many visitors picked up their cameras to capture this grand moment.

People stop to read the information boards

The Falun Gong display boards also attracted a lot of tourists. Italians and others stopped to read the information boards and leaflets. They understood that there has been a brutal persecution of Falun Gong for thirteen years in China.

Falun Dafa was introduced to the world in May 1992, in Changchun, China. For two decades, Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance have been spread to over a hundred countries and regions in the world. Millions of people have gained benefits for their health through practising Falun Dafa, and their moral standards have been uplifted. The number of proclamations and support resolutions from governments around the world has reached nearly 2,000. Falun Gong books have been translated into 30 languages.

In May 2005, the Italian version of Zhuan Falun was formally published. In Italy, more and more people have come to know Falun Gong, and have begun to return to their original, true selves.