(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners across Italy recently hosted several events to introduce Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in various communities. The activities were like a cool breath of fresh air in Italy's summer heat.

Precious Gift at “Gift Festival” in Lucca

On June 24, 2012, the first “Gift Festival,” where people offer and receive gifts to and from each other, was held in Porcari, Lucca. The festival drew many groups and individuals, and Falun Gong practitioners from Florence also attended. They demonstrated the five Falun Gong exercises and distributed hand-made paper lotus flowers, told passersby about Falun Dafa, and talked about the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. They also told people about the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) 13-year persecution of Falun Gong and how practitioners have peacefully worked to end it.

The National TV station took video footage of the practitioners’ exercise demonstration.

 
Falun Gong information table at the “Gift Festival” in Porcari, Lucca

 
The National TV station took video footage of the exercise demonstration

When practitioners demonstrated the exercises, more than ten visitors showed an interest in learning. Many people thanked the practitioners for attending the event and asked how to start practicing.

Visitors learn the exercises at the Gift Festival in Porcari, Lucca

“The Journey of Falun Gong” Photo Exhibition in Plato Chinatown

On June 17, “The Journey of Falun Gong” photo exhibition concluded in Plato Chinatown. The exhibit was held at a supermarket in Chinatown. After learning that practicing Falun Gong could improve mental and physical health, the owner of the supermarket was interested. He was also shocked to learn about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. He was glad to host the exhibition in his market. All his employees were friendly and helpful and were sympathetic to the practitioners in China who are suffering as a result of the persecution.

The supermarket is located in the middle of the Chinatown, and many Chinese and other local residents were able to learn about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong. Many Chinese customers were surprised to see the Falun Gong photo exhibition there and were curious about it. Many studied the photos as soon as they entered the supermarket. Some people even looked at them several times to read the captions more carefully and pick up Falun Gong informational materials.

Customers view Falun Gong photo exhibition in a supermarket in Plato Chinatown

During the exhibition, practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises several times, while a Chinese practitioner introduced the exercises to Chinese shoppers.

Introducing Falun Gong at the Terrafutura Culture Festival in Florence

From May 25 to 27, Falun Gong practitioners took part in the Terrafutura Culture Festival held in Florence, which drew over 80,000 visitors. It was the second time that practitioners had taken part in this event. “The Journey of Falun Gong” photo exhibition was also held there.

At the Terrafutura Culture Festival in Florence, visitors view photos in “The Journey of Falun Gong” photo exhibition

The exhibition venue was spacious. Many visitors carefully read the caption on every photo. During the three-day exhibit, practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises several times. Quite a few visitors expressed interest in learning them. Many were sympathetic to the practitioners under persecution in China and signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution.

Introducing Falun Dafa on Dragon Day in Volta Mantovana

From May 25 to 27, practitioners in North Italy attended the fourth Dragon Day festival held in Volta Mantovana. The purpose of the festival was to promote oriental culture.

The organizers provided Falun Gong practitioners with both indoor and outdoor exhibition venues. The practitioners presented information boards, distributed leaflets and copies of the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party and Falun Gong brochures, and displayed the Falun Gong books Falun Gong and Zhuan Falun.

During the two-day event, the practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises. Many people expressed sincerely that they would like to learn more about the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

 
Practitioners introduce the Falun Gong exercises at the fourth Dragon Day Festival in Volta Mantovana.

Many visitors had lengthy chats with practitioners and were astonished to hear about the CCP's 13-year-long persecution of Falun Gong. After learning about the brutal persecution of Falun Gong in China, other exhibitors and organizers came over to sign the petition calling for an end to it.

A 12-year-old boy viewed the exhibition with his parents and asked many questions. It was hard for him to understand why the Chinese police would hurt nice people rather than protect the general public from criminals. He asked his parents to sign the petition to help Falun Gong practitioners in China.

A Chinese visitor, after learning the facts of the persecution, signed the petition and made a declaration to quit the CCP-affiliated organizations on the spot.

Introducing Falun Gong at a Culture Festival in Alimentanima, Bologna

On May 27, Sunday, Falun Gong practitioners took part in the second Culture Festival held in Alimentanima, Bologna. During the event, they demonstrated the exercises to visitors

 
Practitioners demonstrate the exercises at the Alimentanima culture festival

Many visitors paused to read the Falun Gong information boards and were shocked by the CCP’s persecution of the practice. Many showed sympathy toward the practitioners in China and signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution.

 
Introducing Falun Gong at the Alimentanima Culture Festival

In the afternoon, the practitioners played the video The Story of Falun Gong, and offered visitors free teaching of the exercises.