(Minghui.org) Swedish practitioners in Gothenburg, the second largest city in the country, attended the Gothenburg Cultural Festival on August 31 and September 1, 2024, to introduce Falun Dafa. They demonstrated the exercises, distributed materials, and explained how the practice benefits mind and body.

Practitioners demonstrated the exercises at the Gothenburg Cultural Festival on August 31 and September 1.

Young passersby asked about the practice and were able to learn the exercises.

People liked the handmade lotus flowers practitioners gave them.

Peaceful Energy

Two software developers from India who work in a Swedish IT firm were impressed by the peaceful scene and beautiful exercise music. They talked with practitioners and said that they would come back after running errands.

Two software developers from India are interested in Falun Dafa.

An hour later the men returned to observe the exercise demonstration and speak with practitioners. They were sorry to find out about the ongoing persecution perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They were surprised to hear that the exercises were taught for free at both group practice sites and online and pleased to learn to learn that the materials can be downloaded online for free. They said they would look into the practice.

“This Practice Is Priceless”

An elderly couple said that they had now understood what is going on in China. “The CCP is vicious and that is why it persecutes Falun Dafa,” they remarked. “Falun Dafa is innocent and good. Only the vicious would be afraid of the good.” They had been to China in the past and are interested in traditional Chinese culture.

A couple asked where they could find out all about Falun Dafa.

The couple was also glad to find out that the group practice is available at Gothenburg year round free of charge. “The inner peace and physical health are beyond what money can buy. This practice is priceless,” they said.

Not Longer Believes in the CCP’s Propaganda

A Chinese man came to the booth with his four-year-old daughter. The girl ran over to learn how to make paper lotus flowers while the father chatted with practitioners. Originally from northeast China, he had practiced Falun Dafa before the persecution started in July 1999. He knew the practice was great and thanked practitioners for their efforts to expose the persecution.

A Chinese woman was surprised to see many Westerners practicing Falun Dafa. “What I heard in the past about Falun Dafa was only CCP propaganda—completely different from what I see here. Too bad I was fooled by the CCP in the past,” she added. She was interested in learning the exercises and admired the practitioners’ willingness to persevere.

“We Need More People Who Cherish These Values”

Carlson, who recently retired, heard about the suppression several years ago. “I know the CCP is terrible and it suppresses Falun Dafa. What's most vicious is that the CCP regime harvests organs from practitioners,” he said, musing on the uncertainties and danger the CCP has brought to the world.

Pointing to the words “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” on a flyer, he said, “We need more people who cherish these values.”

Reducing Stress and Improving Health

Thomas shared the benefits of Falun Dafa.

Thomas, a practitioner who organized the event, said the Gothenburg Cultural Festival brings people joy, which is why he and other practitioners wanted to share the practice and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance during the event.

Thomas is a human resources manager and has practiced Falun Dafa for 24 years. “By bringing peace and relaxation, the practice can reduce stress and improve health,” he explained. “We want to help more people understand that Falun Dafa improves physical and mental health. The practice is easy to learn—everyone should try it.”