Seattle: Celebrating World Falun Dafa Day - Audience Is Moved (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) On May 13, 2007, Falun Gong practitioners in Washington State held a singing and dancing performance at Westlake Park in downtown Seattle to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

Falun Gong practitioners set up a stage for the performance in the center of the park. Above the stage was a large banner reading, "Heaven and Earth Celebrate World Falun Dafa Day." On both sides of the street were rows of display boards covering different subjects, including "The Journey of Falun Dafa" photo exhibition, Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" Art Exhibition, and teaching how to fold paper lotus flowers.

Reading proclamations to Falun Dafa from two mayors, and congratulatory letter from the Governor of Washington State

Six year-old practitioner and her grandfather perform duet to celebrate this special day

Everyone, regardless of race or age can practice Falun Gong

Western practitioners perform music they composed themselves - The audience was moved

People view display boards to learn facts about Falun Gong

Waist drummers' performance demonstrates Falun Gong practitioners' vigorous and uplifting demeanor

Audience member follows the exercise demonstration to do the exercise

The host of program first introduced the origin of World Falun Dafa Day. Since Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Dafa first introduced Falun Dafa to the public on May 13, 1992, 100 million people around the world have benefited from Falun Dafa. In the year 2000, May 13 was designated as World Falun Dafa Day.

Falun Dafa has brought benefits to people of different nationalities around the world in multiple aspects, including improving health, obtaining energy, purifying thoughts, releasing pressure and pacifying heart and soul, and even going beyond the pursuit of keeping fit, and further achieving higher wisdom and enlightenment.

Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire sent a congratulatory letter for the celebration of World Falun Dafa Day in Seattle. Mayors of Issaquah and Snoqualmie also issued proclamations for Falun Dafa.

The first performance was a waist drum and Tang drum performance. The drummers' troupe in golden yellow exercise suits came on the stage, immediately catching the attention of passersby who came closer to the stage to find out more.

Next, a six-year-old Falun Dafa practitioner and her grandfather performed a duet. The young practitioner played accordion, and her grandfather played flute. They played six music pieces. The audience was amazed by their performances, and were particularly surprised that a six-year-old practitioner could perform so well. They kept saying, "Amazing."

Nine practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises on the stage. The host introduced the characteristics of each exercise set. A number of audience members followed along with the demonstration to do the exercises.

The host announced that people everywhere but China were celebrating World Falun Dafa Day on May 13, because on July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) started the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Many families were torn apart, and many innocent Falun Gong practitioners were tortured to death. Falun Gong practitioner Chen who lives in Seattle took the stage to tell the audience about the persecution of her parents in Beijing.

Western practitioners also took part in performances. Some performed the traditional Chinese Lion Dance, two practitioners performed duet of violin and guitar, performing one musical piece that they composed themselves. Two audience members made a point of walking up to them after the performance and telling them that they were moved to tears by their performance.

The entire program was performed three times. After the performances concluded at 4:00 p.m., all Falun Gong practitioners respectfully wished Master a Happy Birthday.