(Minghui.org) Known as “the spirit of the Rocky Mountains”, Banff, a renowned tourist destination, celebrated the 155^th Canada Day on July 1, 2022. The town suffered a huge drop in visitors for two years due to the pandemic. It revived its annual Canada Day festivities this year. Practitioners in Calgary participated in the celebrations by demonstrating the Falun Dafa exercises, introducing the benefits of the practice, and a rousing performance by the waist drummers to an audience of tourists from around the world.

Banff sits in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta Province and attracts over 4 million tourists from around the world every year. These are the first Canada Day celebrations held after the pandemic. The streets were filled with tourists of all shapes and sizes from around the world.

At the invitation of the organizers, the Falun Dafa Waist Drummers gave several performances along the main thoroughfare, Banff Avenue.

Practitioners were invited to demonstrate the Falun Dafa exercises during Canada Day celebrations in Banff.

Tourists from all over the world watched as practitioners demonstrated the exercise movements.

The MC formally introduced Falun Dafa before the waist drum performance: “Falun Dafa is an ancient Chinese meditation practice based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. 100 million people practice this in over 100 countries. Falun Dafa consists of 5 sets of slow, gentle exercises. Many adherents say they found inner peace and improved their health through long term practice. Falun Dafa allows practitioners to let go of various bad habits, reflect on their shortcomings and be more considerate of others.”

The MC then went on to introduce the waist drummers: “The Falun Dafa Waist Drummers group was established nearly two decades ago. Waist drums have several thousand years of history in China. In ancient times, drums were often used in battles to transmit signals, boost morale, command attacks, celebrate victories and so on. They gradually became an instrument used to express joy during harvests and celebratory banquets. The members of the waist drum team are Falun Dafa cultivators. They wear golden yellow silk costumes styled from the Tang Dynasty – the most glorious period in Chinese history. The drums sound majestic and the performance is wonderful.”

The waist drummers performed during Canada Day celebrations in Banff.

It is the peak tourist season as spectators watch the waist drummers perform.

The approximately 20 waist drum performers lined up neatly on Banff Avenue dressed in golden costumes and sashes. The snow covered mountains and blue skies served as backdrop. Practitioners played several songs, constantly changing formations to thunderous applause.

Shayla Unruh, a Banff resident exclaimed while watching the exercise demonstration, “This is very peaceful! It is just what the world needs today.”

Vladimir and Noela from Calgary were drawn by the applause and said, “We were mesmerized by their beautiful costumes. We love the attire and the drums beating in synchrony. The sound of the drums calms one down, it is amazing!”

Vladimir said he has a positive impression of Falun Dafa and told his children: “Falun Dafa practitioners are persecuted in China. They have not done anything wrong yet they are treated unjustly. We are so lucky to live in Canada.”

Noela said, “Practicing Falun Dafa is their basic human right. This is not a problem in Canada. They have not done anything wrong, they are wonderful.”

Riam Sharal a Toronto resident enjoyed the performances, “I love it! I love their costumes and their choreography. It is cool! I can feel a powerful energy, it is invigorating. I see that the spectators loved your performance, everyone enjoyed it. This is a good way to celebrate Canada Day.”

Laurezze Dekkers from the Netherlands said he liked the waist drummers, “Great! The costumes are beautiful, the drums are calming.” He said half jokingly, “I crossed half the earth to see this performance.”

Falun Dafa practitioner and waist drum performer Zhang Ping said she was delighted to take part in this year’s Canada Day celebrations. “I can play the drums in this free land – Canada, and openly praise the blessings and virtues Falun Dafa has brought to people as well as the multi-cultural contribution to the country. I wish Canada Happy Birthday!”