Ukraine: Practitioners’ Activities Commemorate the April 25 Appeal

(Minghui.org) On April 25, 2026, Falun Dafa practitioners held an event in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, to mark the 27th anniversary of the April 25 Appeal in 1999.

The practitioners’ event took place on the city’s busiest street, Khreshchatyk, opposite the city administration building. They did the Falun Dafa exercises and displayed portraits of practitioners who’d been killed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Passersby took leaflets with information about Falun Dafa and the persecution. Many chatted with practitioners to find out more about Falun Dafa and the event itself.

Practitioners’ activities on April 25, 2026, in Kyiv to commemorate the appeal in Beijing

The Calm Before the Storm

The April 25 Appeal happened after 45 practitioners were arbitrarily arrested in Tianjin after being beaten by riot police. When other practitioners spoke to the authorities to demand their release, the Tianjin officials told them to go to Beijing to appeal. Over 10,000 practitioners gathered of their own accord before the National Appeals Office, hoping for the release of their fellow practitioners and a guarantee from the government to allow them to practice safely.

While then-premier Zhu Rongji agreed to the practitioners’ requests, then-CCP general secretary Jiang Zemin overrode his decision three months later, launching a persecution that continues to this day.

Every year, Falun Dafa practitioners around the world hold events on April 25 to commemorate this moment of calm before the brutal repression began and to honor the spirit of their fellow practitioners who’d remained peaceful and orderly even when they’d been treated unjustly.

Ukrainian Practitioner Hopes More People Know About the Persecution

Zoryana explained why she participated in the event in Kyiv: “It is important for me to take part in this event because I want to express my gratitude for Falun Dafa and tell people about the practice, its benefits and principles. I also want to draw attention to the persecution of practitioners in China and help people understand the situation.”

Zoryana has practiced Falun Dafa for 12 years. She said her health improved, and she’s become calmer, more balanced, and more considerate, “I used to worry about everything, but now I take a simpler and calmer approach to everything. The practice helped me understand myself and life as a whole more deeply. Falun Dafa is a source of support and answers my questions in difficult moments.”

Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance Are Important

A woman from Odessa who was in Kyiv for the weekend watched as practitioners did the exercises. When she said she was interested in learning how to practice, she was told there was a group of practitioners in Odessa on the Black Sea coast. She was even given a contact number. She was delighted and said she was very keen to try practicing Falun Dafa.

Practitioners gave her a lotus pendant with the phrases “Falun Dafa is good” and “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” on it. She agreed that these principles were close to everyone’s heart, but, unfortunately, people often forgot them and that they needed to be reminded of them. “These principles are very important, especially in these difficult times. Thank you for telling people about them and introducing me to Falun Dafa!”

Man From Canada Signs Petition

An elderly man from Vancouver took a photo of practitioners doing the exercises. He said he was aware of Falun Dafa and often saw practitioners peacefully meditating outside the Chinese Embassy in Vancouver. He’d heard about the persecution in China before and was surprised that it’s been going on for so many years. He signed the practitioners’ petition that condemns the CCP’s human rights violations.

Local Resident Always Chats With Practitioners

This location has been a regular practice site seven days a week for 15 years, so many passersby already know the practitioners. One elderly man stops to chat with them every time he walks past. He talked with them the day of the event.

He was surprised by the solemnity of the event, as there were more practitioners than usual and they were all wearing yellow jackets. When he was told about the significance of the April 25 anniversary, he expressed his support and said he hopes the persecution in China ends soon.