Italy: Practitioners Hold Events in Six Cities to Celebrate World Falun Dafa Day

(Minghui.org) May 13, 2023, was the 31st anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction and the 24th World Falun Dafa Day. On that day, Falun Dafa practitioners from all over Italy held various celebration activities in Milan, Rome, Padua, Florence, Turin, and Cagliari in Sardinia. They told the local people about Falun Dafa.

These activities include Falun Dafa exercise demonstrations, telling people about the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution, and distributing fliers. In some cities, practitioners also collected signatures from the public to stop the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa. The petition was initiated by the Italian Falun Dafa Association, calling on the Italian government to condemn the CCP’s persecution that began in 1999 and continues to this day.

The activities drew many people’s attention, and they learned about Falun Dafa. Some wished to learn the exercises, and many people immediately expressed their solidarity with the practitioners who are persecuted in China. Below are snapshots of some of the activities.

Activities in Milan

Practitioners in Milan celebrate Falun Dafa Day.

Introducing Falun Dafa and telling people about the persecution

One young man carefully read the information about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa and said that he did not know that practitioners were being persecuted and their organs were harvested while they were alive. He gladly accepted a flyer and said that he would learn more about it online after returning home.

A family approached the display board and was pleasantly surprised to find that learning the Falun Dafa practice is free. When they heard that practitioners follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, they said, “This is exactly what we need.”

Celebration in Rome

Practitioners in Rome celebrate Falun Dafa Day.

Exercise demonstration and awareness-raising activities in Rome

A young girl was drawn by the exercise music. She said she felt extraordinary tranquility coming from the music. A practitioner explained that the principles of Falun Dafa are Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance, and that exercise music can help people maintain calm during the exercise. The girl accepted a leaflet and said that she would come to try the practice.

A practitioner introduced Falun Dafa to a passing couple. They were deeply appalled when they learned about the persecution of practitioners in China. They both agreed with the principles of Falun Dafa and condemned the CCP’s persecution.

Event in Padua

Information stand in Padua

Accompanied by a teacher, some students in Padua stopped in front of the Falun Dafa display board. The practitioners were doing the second exercise, and the students imitated their movements.

People learn about Falun Dafa.

Signing the petition calling to end the CCP’s persecution

After hearing about the persecution of Falun Dafa, Erica and her husband wanted to know more. Erica not only expressed her concern, but also signed a petition calling for an end to the persecution. Erica wanted to know where the nearest practice site was so that she could learn the exercises with her husband, who was also interested in practicing. The couple agreed with Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

A couple took the leaflets and read them, then came back again. They said that they were shocked to learn that the CCP harvests practitioners’ organs while they are alive. They couldn’t believe that such cruel behaviors are happening in the world today. They wanted to know more about it. They also signed the petition.

Raising Awareness in Florence

Practitioners in Veneto celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

Practitioners from Tuscany celebrate World Falun Dafa Day in Florence.

Practitioners’ activities in Florence were divided into two parts: One part was group exercises in a park, and the other part was a peaceful rally in front of the Chinese Consulate, calling for an end to the CCP’s persecution.

Group exercise in a park in Florence

Rally in front of Chinese Consulate in Florence

Many tourists were curious about Falun Dafa. They read flyers, asked questions, and some wanted to try the exercises themselves. The practitioners explained that Falun Dafa is taught for free and that practicing is beneficial to people of all ages.

A passing newspaper reporter stopped and read the banners. He asked about the persecution of practitioners in China, and learned that the persecution had lasted for more than 20 years. He asked if he could take pictures and said he would look into the matter further. The Chinese people who came out of the consulate also received leaflets.

Event in Turin

Practitioners in Turin celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

Demonstrating the Falun Dafa exercises

Laura, who lives in Turin, talked with a practitioner. She said she was very impressed by the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. She accepted a small, paper lotus flower and said it was a precious gift.

She said that in this mercenary world, it is important to not be influenced, and to put oneself in the right place. She entered the address of the practice site on her mobile phone, and said that she would definitely go there and learn the exercises.

Another passerby who asked about Falun Dafa said that she learned some qigongs in the past and wanted to know more about Falun Dafa. When she learned that this peaceful practice was being persecuted in China, she was shocked and asked practitioners if they were collecting signatures to help those in China. She signed a petition calling to end the persecution.

Event in Cagliari

Practitioners from Sardinia hold activities in Cagliari to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

In Sardinia, an older man in his seventies said he knew something about Falun Dafa. After he read the banners he told practitioners that he had studied a lot of qigong and knew about the Falun Dafa website, but he had not had an opportunity to read the main book of Dafa—Zhuan Falun. Practitioners described the cultivation principles of Falun Dafa and the five sets of exercises.

Another man in his 80s said that he had always opposed communism. After learning about Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, he immediately asked to sign the petition to stop the CCP’s persecution.

Before the event ended, a little girl, accompanied by her father, walked to the stands, and practitioners gave her a small lotus flower. The little girl asked her father if she could sign the petition. When her father learned about the CCP’s persecution of Dafa practitioners, he also decided to sign to show his support.