(Clearwisdom.net) Having toured around the world in over 200 cities and 40 countries, at the end of March 2011 the Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance International Art Exhibition arrived at its third stop in France, the City of Saint-Malo. In Saint-Malo’s Parame Town Hall, the week-long exhibition brought blessings to the local residents. The audience was moved by the beauty and profound meaning of the traditional works of art. Many people made special trips to see it many times to fully appreciate the message of the paintings.
Before the exhibition, the event was well publicized on Saint-Malo’s city website and magazine, on the Tourism Bureau’s website, in the Malo’s People and West France newspapers, and on a local radio station.
Article in Malo's People
Article in West France
Viewing the artworks
The exhibition was divided into seven parts: "The Buddha-light illuminates heaven and earth,” "The endless joy of being immersed in the Fa," "Evil suppression outrages heaven and people," "Call for conscience. Long live justice," "Good rewarded and evil punished, justice is inescapable,” "Painstaking salvation, Buddha’s mighty benevolence," "Stubbornly refusing to be saved, too late for regrets." The collection included some 60 paintings by 15 artists. Through practicing Falun Gong, the painters improved their minds and bodies. They put their insights into life and what is happening to Falun Gong practitioners into traditional art to highlight a return to human morality, justice, and peace.
The exhibition was opened by Saint-Malo’s Deputy Mayor of Culture Gabriel Frenie, Chairman of Associations Rueller Cremount, and Saint-Malo municipal government exhibitions leader and consultant Jean-Pierre Godard.
City Exhibition Leader: everyone has to choose between God and human
Saint-Malo’s Deputy Mayor of Culture Gabriel Frenie said: "It is a pleasure to meet the Sound of Hope Association tonight. We share the aspirations of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. I hope they will convey to the public some of the suffering of the Chinese nation. Some stories in the exhibition are shocking, but they are reality happening in China right now. Many thanks again to the exhibition for presenting Saint-Malo’s people with China’s reality."
Saint-Malo municipal government exhibitions leader and
consultant Jean-Pierre Godard said: "This exhibition shows Chinese
people (Falun Gong practitioners) in their plight enjoying stolen
moments of happiness with innocent babies ("Banner" by Dong
Xiqiang), which is beautiful! But there are also children’s tears
as a result of tragic experiences (their parents having been
tortured to death as in "Orphan Tears" by Dong Xiqiang). The
Chinese painters are highly skilled. The pieces are outstanding!
People here do not often see this type of exhibition, which I
believe will leave them deeply impressed. Meanwhile, it opens a
door of life. Indeed, everyone has to choose between God and
humans."
The exhibition attracted attention from and was praised by local
dignitaries, artists, heads of associations, doctors, teachers,
students and, tourists. There was a continuous flow of
spectators.
All walks of life moved by the exhibition
The President of Emerald Coast Radio Association Yannick Blandin said: "I think the pieces are very lifelike, very beautiful. In the paintings, one can find quiet, happy wisdom. I felt very calm afterwards. From Chen Xiaoping's 'Immersing in the Fa,' I saw the calmness. From a mum holding the baby in her arms, I saw confidence and contentment for the future."
This painter was moved by the artworks.
Having seen the exhibition, a female painter said emotionally, "I was very moved by the quality of the paintings. Their expressions and finishes clearly and effectively conveyed the brutal and shocking message. They were all very successful."
Saint-Malo’s Deputy Mayor of Sports Nicolas Belloir said, “The Exhibition’s message is very touching. I have heard the truth, but this time, seeing it through the paintings stunned me. Such cruelty cannot be tolerated in modern society.”
More people began to learn Falun Gong
Having seen the exhibition, Ms. Feriero said: "The exhibition is great, extremely beautiful. Artists use visual arts to tell people what is happening in China, about the torture and persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. The strong energy emitted from the scenes was astounding. These things are rarely mentioned in our media. These days these facts are being spread by word of mouth. The best way we came up with to stop this persecution was to set up an anti-torture and anti-persecution organization. Meanwhile, a doctor friend and I both wanted very much to practice Falun Gong. I will come to join morning group exercises this weekend.”
A health food store clerk, Ms. Carole, said after seeing the exhibition, "I have been wanting to see the exhibition but could not make it for various reasons. Today I made it on a committed thought. I was touched." She bought two Falun Gong books, Falun Gong and Zhuan Falun. When she got home, her two children were also delighted to see the books. At the exhibition, many viewers bought books and wanted to learn the practice like Ms. Carole.
Ms. Dianni experienced the beauty of Falun Gong through the exhibition. Determined to practice Falun Gong, she resolutely gave up other methods that she had been practicing. She commented emotionally that it was to obtain this Fa that she had moved from Paris to La Rochelle and again to Saint-Malo two years ago. She felt powerful energy as she was learning the exercises. While doing the fifth exercise, she felt a burning sensation in her palms. She was moved to tears by the sudden turn of events. She emotionally hugged the volunteers, cherishing the practice very much.
Group exercises at the beach
The atrocities of organ harvesting condemned
A lady from Salcolon Bay said in tears, "My children saw the exhibition in the morning. When they came home for lunch, they said to me in tears that I must come to see the Truth-Compassion-Forbearance Exhibition. It was indeed very touching; my heart was touched. We are living so comfortably here. I cannot believe that such appalling atrocities are happening in China. What can we do to help you?"
The President of Rennes City Bicycle Association Jean Thomas said, “The exhibition is so beautiful. Meanwhile I think the French should feel lucky, because we have freedom of thought. I strongly condemn and oppose the despicable behavior of organ harvesting without consent.”
Mr. Jean Thomas
Ms. Lavigne from the Bridge Club said in tears, "Live organ harvesting without anesthetics is an insult and an assault on human dignity. How can this happen in today's world? It is simply incredible. You have done well. The exhibition should go on to let more people know about it. I support you."
A mother and daughter from Paris and Angers, respectively, said, "The brutal truth has been hidden so deeply that we have not heard about it. The exhibition stunned us. We urge everyone to join hands in opposing and stopping the persecution of Falun Gong."
Overseas students quit the CCP, everyone repeats "Falun Gong
is good"
Having seen the exhibition, two overseas Chinese students traveling in Saint-Malo quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) organizations on the spot. They said they would emulate French people in a normal society, becoming better people by getting rid of the Party culture in them.
Several high school girls saw the exhibition in the morning. In the afternoon they brought their whole class. The teacher and students learned to make paper lotus flowers from the volunteers. The atmosphere was very peaceful and harmonious. When a souvenir photo was taken, the whole group shouted together, "Falun Dafa is good! Zhen Shan Ren is good!"
The whole class shouted together, "Falun Dafa is good! Zhen Shan Ren is good!"
"Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are so
powerful."
On the last day of the exhibition, Tour de France athletes gathered in Saint-Malo, with the start and finish both in Parame. The famous Tour de France commentator Daniel Mangeas saw the exhibition along with some athletes. Mr. Mangeas was deeply touched by the paintings. In order to show support for the Truth-Compassion-Forbearance Exhibition, he repeatedly introduced and highly recommended the exhibition to the audience during his commentary.
Mr. Daniel Mangeas
Having seen the exhibition, a couple said, "We are pleased to have the Truth-Compassion-Forbearance Exhibition in Saint-Malo. Falun Gong practitioners follow Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. It is unbelievable that they (the CCP) persecute and torture such peaceful people. Our hearts are with you. I am a teacher at an association. I will take the opportunity to talk to them about this exhibition, to try and get as many people as possible to come to see. I think we live in a special period, a period of awakening, the awakening of the Buddha, which is not a coincidence. It is not necessary to join a religion to spread such conviction, because Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are so powerful."