Falun Dafa Practitioners Spread the Truth in the Third Largest City in Finland

(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners participated in the Mahdollisuuksien Tori event on Väinö Linna Square in the Finlayson region in Tampere, the third largest city of Finland, on April 29, 2025. The goal of the event was to encourage local organizations, communities, and networks to work together to promote global equality, the well-being of humankind, and human rights and human dignity.

Practitioners distributed introductory materials about the practice and collected signatures on a petition protesting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s persecution of Falun Dafa. Their eye-catching information booth attracted many passersby, who paused to learn more about the situation.

Their booth was close to the stage. After members of the Peace Chorus from the Legion Theatre learned about Falun Dafa and the persecution, they crowded around the table to sign the petition. To thank them for their attention and support, a practitioner gave them lotus flower keepsakes as mementos. One of the chorus members saw the words “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” on the card that was attached to the flower and said, “These values are so wonderful!” Many of the singers had the keepsakes attached to their costumes as they went on the stage to perform.

After Matias, who managed the neighboring booth, signed the petition, he said he used to live in Helsinki and had seen Falun Dafa practitioners’ events at the train station, so he had some understanding of the persecution that Falun Dafa was facing. He said that he was shocked when he learned about the CCP’s state-sanctioned live organ harvesting and commented that serious matters liked this are seldom reported by the media.

People gather around the table to sign the petition and show their support for Falun Dafa.

People came to learn about Falun Dafa.

People learned Falun Dafa at the event.

Mr. Jussi had heard about Falun Dafa at a train station 10 years ago. He mentioned that a friend had once given him a Dafa book, which he read but then later lost it. A practitioner told Mr. Jussi that he was willing to give him a copy of Falun Gong and hoped that he would cherish it. Mr. Jussi was very touched and said that he would definitely make time to participate in the outdoor exercises in Tampere in the summer. He said, “I came here today because I needed to look after a friend’s child. I believe that this book brought me here. This book is very important.”

A lady who signed the petition and said, “This [live organ harvesting] seems very far away from us and unbelievable.” She praised Falun Dafa practitioners for organizing such an event that gave more people access to factual information. “Seeing it in person is totally different from seeing the information online,” she said. When a practitioner gave her a lotus flower keepsake, she expressed her thanks and wished practitioners all the best.

Ms. Inka is an artist. She said that she did not know much about Falun Dafa, but as a member of Amnesty International, she supports petitions related to women’s rights. She was shocked to learn about the live organ harvesting and said that, while such acts also occur in other countries, in China, it is systematic and orchestrated by the CCP.

She said that she once knew a woman who had been persecuted and that her description of her ordeal was still etched in her memory and was something she could never forget it. A practitioner told her that many Falun Dafa practitioners who have endured serious persecution remain calm when they talk about it. Ms. Inka pointed to the flyer in her hand and said, “Maybe the inner tranquility people can attain through this practice can help them to get over the effects of such an experience.” The practitioner replied, “It indeed has something to do with the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance that Falun Dafa teaches.”

Ms. Riiku, a social worker, brought her child to watch the performances on stage. A practitioner told her that practitioners participate in all types of events and have tried their best to clarify the truth for many years so that more people can learn about Falun Dafa and why the CCP is persecuting it. Ms. Riiku said that she had also seen the Falun Dafa booth at the Global Village Cultural Event and was still puzzled: “I cannot understand why Falun Dafa is being suppressed.” She expressed her gratitude for the practitioners’ efforts.

Ms. Laura initially said that she was in favor of organ harvesting until a practitioner explained that, as part of a systematic operation conducted by the CCP, Falun Dafa practitioners have had their organs harvested from them while they are still alive. Ms. Laura was appalled and decided to sign the petition to show her support.