(Minghui.org) Practitioners held a large celebration at Zeil, in Frankfurt, Germany’s financial center, on May 3, 2025, to honor the 26^th World Falun Dafa Day and 33^rd anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction. The birthday of the founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi, falls on the same day. Four German members of parliament in Hessen state sent letters of support.

In the video recording, practitioners wish Master Li a happy birthday.

Celebrating World Falun Dafa Day in Public

Performances by the dragon and waist drum teams.

People stopped to watch the performances, take photos, and clapped and cheered.

Zeil has been one of Germany’s most well known, busy shopping areas since the 19^th century. It is filled with people on the weekends. On the day of the activity, the venue was decorated with pink lotus flowers and a huge yellow banner with the words “World Falun Dafa Day” surrounded by colorful balloons.

Practitioners did the exercises from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., accompanied by the soothing Falun Dafa exercise music. The peaceful scene imparted a pure, positive energy, and many people stopped to watch. This was followed by a traditional Chinese dragon performance, which won applause and cheers from spectators.

A practitioner came forward to tell people what Falun Gong is and how the practice has spread to many parts of the world. She then read the congratulatory letters that were received from elected officials in Hesse, Germany. The waist drum team made up of Falun Dafa practitioners also performed several songs. Practitioners told people about the persecution in China and gave out flyers and lotus flowers to share the beauty of the spiritual practice.

A practitioner introduced Falun Gong and read letters received from elected officials in Hesse.

Practitioners spoke to people about Falun Gong and handed out lotus flowers that symbolize the beauty of the practice. People signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution in China.

One Will Automatically Become a Better Person Through Following Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance

Azita Azudpour, a private tutor, enjoyed watching the performances celebrating Falun Dafa Day.

Ms. Azita Azudpour is a private tutor. She developed a keen interest in the practice after watching practitioners do the exercises. She said a healthy body will lead to improved mental health. “What’s most important is finding self through peace,” she said. “I am an extremely sensitive person, I can feel the energy here.”

She held up a Falun Gong flyer and told practitioners she wanted to try the exercises.

“This event is beautiful. It shows we don’t have to resort to violence. Peace is far reaching. Look, it is noisy over there but here, no matter who, it is quiet,” she said.

When asked her thoughts on the principles of Falun Gong, she said, “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance are excellent values. One will become better automatically through following them.”

“This activity is wonderful and peace has far reaching effects,” Ms. Azudpour said.

Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance are Important Pillars of Human Nature

Mr. Hamza saw the performances celebrating Falun Dafa Day.

Mr. Hamza is from Munich and was on a vacation in Frankfurt. He stood to the side and watched the practitioners’ performances. “The atmosphere here is uplifting,” he said. “It made me stop to find out what is going on.”

He had noticed the words Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance, and said, “It’s a pity people today pursue economic benefits. Their moral values are declining and they are more materialistic, like machines.”

He then said earnestly, “People need soul searching. Only then can we become humans.”

“Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are important pillars of human nature whether in China, Europe, or any place in this world,” he said.

Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance is Wonderful

Funda (right) and her best friend loved the activities celebrating Falun Dafa Day.

Funda is a university student from Darmstadt who is studying construction. She and her best friend, an exchange student from a university in Turkey, spoke to a practitioner. They signed the practitioners’ petition calling for an end to the persecution in China.

Funda agrees with the principles of Falun Gong. “I think these principles are amazing,” she said. “Besides caring for ourselves, we should also care for others. Tolerance, this is not easy to do, however, it is crucial to getting along peacefully with one another. If we don’t learn how to be tolerant of others, it will bring us a lot of trouble.”

Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance is a Lighthouse Guiding Us

Katherine (center), an English teacher from America, signed the petition calling for a stop to the brutalities in China.

Katherine and Paula are Americans living in Germany. Both of them teach English. They stared at the large banner hung midair, and Katherine asked a practitioner “What does 5.13 mean?”

The practitioner replied, “This day is our Master’s birthday.” Katherine said with wide eyes, “So that’s what this is.” The practitioner went to the booth to pick up two English flyers about Falun Dafa and gave it to them.

Pointing at the blue book that was pictured on the flyer, the practitioner explained to the women, “This book is Zhuan Falun and the author is Master Li. We are celebrating his birthday today.” Keen to know more, Katherine read the flyer. A few seconds later, she pronounced Master Li Hongzhi’s name clearly.

When asked about her thoughts on the principles of cultivation taught by Falun Gong, Katherine said, “This is what the entire human race needs, because it is a lighthouse guiding us to a beautiful life.

“I think kindness is extremely important, because we wear shoes of different sizes. Forbearance, my understanding is, we cannot expect others to be like us, because everyone is different, and we must learn to respect such differences. Only then will this world become better,” she said.

“Yes, I love these principles because they are truly magnificent,” she said.

She smiled and said to her coworker Paula, “I think we should try this practice.” The practitioner took out her mobile phone at once and searched for practice sites in Frankfurt on the Falun Dafa website. She told the women they can learn the exercises for free.

Katherine happily bid farewell to the practitioner and said she would find out more about the spiritual practice at home. She also wished the practitioner all the best.

Dafa Gave Us a New Life in This World

Waltraud, a Falun Dafa practitioner, thanks Master Li for offering salvation, and wished him a happy birthday.

Waltraud has been practicing Dafa for many years. She expressed her joy and gratitude to Master Li with a big smile on her face.

“We celebrate World Falun Dafa Day today. Master’s birthday falls on the same day. Naturally I am delighted and feel very fortunate because Dafa has brought us so many positive changes. It is a change that comes from within,” she said.

She said that after practicing Dafa she learned to look at her shortcomings when she encountered a conflict. “If everyone in the world does this, many problems would be resolved,” she said.

Waltraud has been practicing cultivation for nearly 30 years and thinks having an environment to practice with other practitioners is a great help, “Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses; we are not perfect, yet we are walking on the same path. This path guides us to find our true selves.”

“If we have the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance in our hearts, whenever there is a conflict, I would think it is an opportunity to look within. Going forward together, this is a powerful force,” she said.

She expressed her gratitude to Master Li, “Happy Birthday, Master! This is also the birthday of Falun Dafa practitioners, because Dafa gave us a new life in this world. I sincerely thank Master for everything he has given us.”