Prague, Czech Republic: Celebrating World Falun Dafa Day

(Minghui.org) Practitioners in the Czech Republic held activities in Prague on May 17 to celebrate the 26th World Falun Dafa Day and the 33rd anniversary of the practice’s introduction to the public in 1992. In addition to information booths at Wenceslas Square, a well-known and busy location in central Prague, practitioners also held a signature drive for a petition calling to end the persecution in China. They demonstrated the exercises and displayed models of the Falun emblem and Zhuan Falun, Falun Dafa’s main book.

Practitioners in the Czech Republic held an event in Prague to celebrate the 26th World Falun Dafa Day. They took a group photo to wish their founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi, a happy birthday.

More than 100 practitioners, including several from other countries, handed out informational materials to passersby. The celebration also included Falun Dafa exercise demonstrations, lion dances, celestial maiden dances, and waist drum performances. Practitioners also made a video message wishing Master Li a happy birthday.

Various activities during the celebration

Although rain was forecast for the day, the weather remained mostly sunny. The square was filled with a peaceful atmosphere, and the serene exercise music attracted many people.

Leoš Strnad, representing the Falun Dafa Association in the Czech Republic, gave a speech telling passersby that May 13 marked the 26th World Falun Dafa Day and the 33rd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction in China. He emphasized that this practice has helped tens of millions regain their physical health and moral improvement. He also pointed out that over 100 million people worldwide practice Falun Dafa, following its core principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

“I Strongly Support Falun Dafa”

Many people who stopped to watch the exercise demonstration and cultural performances were interested in learning the exercises. Some asked where the local practice sites were. Others said they were drawn to Falun Dafa’s core principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and said these were applicable in their lives.

A woman and her daughter who were visiting Prague from Týniště nad Orlicí said that Falun Dafa’s principles resonated deeply with them. The mother said that elected officials at every level should follow these values. This would help not only the Czech Republic, but the entire world move toward a better society.

Marcela Ibrahim from Prague said she’s known about Falun Dafa for years, and practices on her own at home. She said she’s deeply spiritual, and strongly supports Falun Dafa. She plans to go to a group practice site so she can do the exercises with other practitioners.

People Sign the Petition

Wenceslas Square is one of the busiest places in Prague. Many locals pass through the square every day, along with visitors from across the country and tourists from around the world. Even before the booths and displays were fully set up, people asked about the event, and signed the petition calling for the persecution of Falun Dafa in China to end. This continued throughout the day.

Passersby learn about Falun Dafa and sign the petition to end the persecution.

Alexandra Hradecký, a student majoring in religious studies, stopped by the information booth after he noticed practitioners doing the exercises. He signed the petition and said that his studies made him aware of the persecution. He said that he and his classmates knew the importance of Falun Dafa in China and around the world, and they knew how brutal the repression was.

Alexandra Hradecký

Alexandra said he was familiar with Falun Dafa because his teacher, Mr. Vojtíšek, a respected Czech religious scholar, studied the practice in depth. Mr. Vojtíšek said the defamatory propaganda spread by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime is false and misleading.

Alexandra thanked practitioners for raising public awareness and wished them success in their efforts to expose the persecution.