(Clearwisdom.net) Saipan, the capital of Northern Mariana Islands, held its thirtieth annual Flame Tree Arts Festival as the flame trees were in full bloom. The local Arts Council held a four-day celebration on June 9-12, 2011. The Saipan Falun Dafa Association participated in the event as they have done in previous years, and won awards issued by the Flame Tree Arts Festival Organizing Committee.
The festival showcased art creations and local crafts; entertained the community with music, dance and song; and celebrated different cultures and traditions, including the indigenous Chamorro and Carolinians and cultures of the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Saipan Falun Dafa Association booth at the Flame Tree Arts Festival
The Saipan Falun Dafa Association set up two booths during the festival. One was a photo exhibit and the other presented artistic performances to spread the wonderfulness of Falun Dafa and tell people what Falun Dafa is about. The photo exhibit topics included how Falun Dafa is embraced worldwide, proclamations received, the persecution, support from all walks of life, and quitting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated organizations for personal safety. Many people stopped to view photos, learn the facts about Falun Gong, and ask for informational materials. Many were shocked at the CCP's brutality after viewing the photos that depicted the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.
People who have learned the facts sign the petition to oppose the persecution
A lawyer who visited the booth was shocked by what he saw. He told the practitioners that if they met with any difficulty, they could find him and he'd help them. An elderly woman was moved to tears to see the photos of physical abuse and torture of Falun Gong practitioners. An elementary school pupil was indignant after viewing the section about the persecution. Seeing many people sign the petition to call for an end to the persecution, he stood at the end of the line to wait to sign it. He then brought his mother to the exhibit and asked her to sign the petition.
Two Chinese tourists looked at the truth clarification photos, and then announced their withdrawals from the CCP organizations right on the spot. They took many informational materials before leaving.
Practitioners perform the dance “Joyously Celebrating Falun Dafa Day”
As in previous years, the Saipan Falun Dafa Association was invited to perform on-stage on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. “Celestial Phenomena” and “A Joyous Celebration of Falun Dafa Day” were the dances they presented.
At the end of their performance on Saturday, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Arts Committee and the Flame Tree Arts Festival Organizing Committee issued awards to the practitioners and thanked them for their selfless contributions to the community. The Arts Committee invited the Falun Dafa Association in advance to participate in the U.S. Independence Day Celebration on July 4. The organizing committee gave practitioners two more opportunities to perform during the prime time of the last evening of the celebration, enabling more people to experience the solemnity and wonderfulness of Falun Dafa.
