Czech Republic: Opening Day of Painting Exhibition in Prague is a Great Success

On April 27 2003, Australian Dafa practitioner and artist Zhang Cuiying, together with practitioners from the Czech Republic and the UK, prepared for an exhibition of her paintings in the busy Cultural Centre in the city of Prague. In the afternoon, a Czech television station sent a camera crew to film the preparation of the exhibition. This footage was then shown the next day as part of a televised interview with Zhang Cuiying.

During the interview, footage of the Jiang regime’s state terrorism against Falun Gong practitioners was shown. Cuiying spoke about the persecution of Falun Gong in China and also showed some of her beautiful paintings to the studio audience. The interview was broadcast nationwide on the Czech Republic’s main television channel.

On Monday, all visitors to the Cultural Centre could hear audio broadcasts every thirty minutes about the unique opportunity of meeting Zhang Cuiying and seeing her paint. Music written by Dafa practitioners sounded throughout the building on every floor and these broadcasts were also heard out on the street. This allowed hundreds of visitors and passers by to learn more about Falun Gong.

A photograph exhibition entitled “The Real Story of Falun Gong” was also displayed, providing an overview of the history of the practice. Many VIPs who could not attend sent messages of apologies and support, as well as expressing their horror at the persecution of Dafa practitioners in China.

During the opening ceremony, Zhang Cuiying talked about her life before and after practising Falun Gong and practitioners demonstrated the five sets of Falun Gong exercises. Later, Cuiying gave a demonstration to the audience by painting beautiful flowers. At the end of the day many people queued to receive calligraphy from the artist, to chat with her, and to see her paint. They also signed a petition calling for an end to the persecution of Dafa practitioners in China.

The owner of the Cultural Centre came to meet Zhang Cuiying in person. He was deeply impressed by the efforts of all practitioners to stop the persecution of Falun Dafa in China. He said he was pleased to hold this exhibition in his centre. The staff were very friendly and kind to practitioners, and helped out in any way they could. The first day of the exhibition was a great success.