(Minghui.org) The seaside city of Helsingborg, Sweden hosted the HX Festival for three days this year. The new festival staged a wide range of activities, including a variety of sporting events, concerts, food from around the world, and a wide range of groups from the local community.

Local Falun Gong practitioners participated in the festival on Saturday with an information booth and exercise demonstrations at “Sundstorget,” a central square and cultural center. The area was very busy with festival-goers, and many had the opportunity to learn about Falun Gong and see the exercises demonstrated.

A scene at the festival

Practitioners were able to speak in-depth with many people, and more than a hundred signed the petition opposing the Chinese Communist Party's forced organ harvesting from persecuted Falun Gong practitioners. Many people showed an interest in learning Falun Gong, and asked to be contacted by local practitioners after the event.

A practitioner talks to festival visitors

A vibrant elderly lady said, “I practiced Tai chi for many years but not anymore. I have been looking for this kind of practice for a long time. This is for me.”

Towards the end of the day the mayor and two of his colleagues passed by our table, and suddenly stopped a few meters away. One local practitioner knew the mayor and showed him the organ harvesting petition. The mayor carefully read it through and said, “This one we can sign.” He and his two colleagues signed the petition. Practitioners were extremely grateful to see the highest political representative of the people of Helsingborg support the organ harvesting petition.

Demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises

Local practitioners felt that the people of Helsingborg were kindhearted and interested in learning more about Falun Gong. Many people stopped to have a close look at the exercises, and listened carefully to information about the practice. Many children were happy to receive our beautiful paper lotus flowers and hear the message of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.