(Minghui.org) Copenhagen, Denmark's capital, welcomed back Falun Gong practitioners to the annual Multicultural Festival on August 23, 2014. Hosted by the municipality of Copenhagen, the one-day festival is estimated to draw between 20,000 and 30,000 visitors, including both locals and tourists. This is the third year that Falun Gong practitioners have participated in this celebration showcasing the city's cultural diversity.
Festivalgoers watched as Falun Gong practitioners demonstrated the peaceful exercises. Many who learned about this ancient cultivation practice from China gained a deeper understanding of the benefits of Falun Gong, including Falun Gong's principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and expressed a wish to learn it. Several people learned the exercises on the spot.
Visitors found out why and how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been persecuting Falun Gong for over 15 years in China. They also learned of the regime's state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting from living Falun Gong practitioners.
Many people were shocked and outraged by the CCP's atrocities, and immediately signed a petition to condemn this crime against humanity and call for an end to the persecution. Several times during the day, a line of people waited to sign the petition.
Showcasing the Goodness of Falun Gong
Falun Gong exercise demonstration on the main stage during Copenhagen's Multicultural Festival
Demonstrating the exercises beside the Falun Gong booth
People followed along with the practitioners as they demonstrated the exercises on the stage
Visitors learning the exercises
Condemning the CCP's Crimes against Humanity
Festivalgoers listen attentively as practitioners explain the facts about the persecution
Many visitors signed a petition to show support for practitioners' effort to end the persecution
Overseas Chinese Readily Renounce Party Membership
Chinese people who have lived in Copenhagen for years used to be indifferent to Falun Gong, and some evaded practitioners or refused to accept their informational materials. Things have changed over time, and now, many Chinese people make a point to stop at the practitioners' booth to ask for informational materials.
Many Chinese attentively listened as practitioners explained about the Quit the CCP movement, while many nodded and agreed to renounce their CCP membership. Nearly 40 Chinese people quit the CCP and its affiliates during the festival.
