(Minghui.org) On March 22, the Taoyuan County Volunteer Firefighter Skills Competition was held at the Taoyuan County Stadium. The competition was attended by 1,380 volunteer firefighters. The Divine Land Marching Band, consisting of 150 local Falun Gong practitioners, was invited to perform at the opening ceremony.
The band opened the event with a rousing rendition of the theme song for the competition. They next performed three songs composed by Falun Gong practitioners, leading the contestants into the stadium.
The Divine Land Marching Band at the opening ceremony of the Volunteer Firefighter Skills Competition in Taoyuan, Taiwan
This is the third time that the band has been invited to perform for this popular biannual competition. Many people have learned about Falun Gong over the years that the band has taken part in this event.
Mr. Cheng, one of the event organizers, has become friends with several of the band members and has learned a lot about Falun Gong over the past several years.
Mr. Cheng said to a reporter covering the event, “This is a really good practice. Look at them, from 10-year-olds to 80-year-olds, all healthy. They can stand there and play for a whole day without feeling tired.”
He shared that he also would like to learn the Falun Gong exercises. Mr. Cheng borrowed a copy of Zhuan Falun, and read it with practitioners during the intermission.
Several government officers at the event had positive things to say about Falun Gong. Mr. Hsie Jinghsu, chief of the County Fire Department, thanked the practitioners for their contribution to the Volunteer Firefighter Skills competition.
The volunteer firefighters' competition is a popular event, with entertainment, firefighting skills demonstrations, food booths and games, in a fair-like setting. Many people attend the event.
