Romania: Celebrating World Falun Dafa Day in the City of Sibiu

Between May 12th and 13th, 2007 the city of Sibiu hosted an event occasioned by the celebration of World Falun Dafa Day. Falun Gong practitioners from Romania came from different cities to celebrate, on this special day, the introduction of Falun Gong to the general public in China on May 13th, 1992 and also the birthday of the founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi.

The event took place in Subarini Park. The park’s peaceful beauty was in wonderful harmony with this special day. Also, the Vice Mayor of Sibiu manifested a special benevolence and he gave unlimited time for this activity.

Starting at 11:30 o’clock, Falun Gong practitioners displayed banners on which were written the principles of the practice: Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. There were also information posters with photo montages depicting the practice but also the severe persecution against Falun Gong practitioners in China (the persecution led by the Chinese communist regime). On the tables there were CD’s, flyers, newspapers and also, petition forms to condemn the persecution.

At one table, children learned how to make paper lotus flowers. The children played in the area or came along with their parents who wanted to find out more details about the event.

Accompanied by music, practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises during almost the entire event, so that the people could see the practical part of the practice.

The public was impressed by the teachings of Falun Gong and manifested its disapproval of the brutal persecution that takes place in China. Many signed the petition for stopping the persecution, asking what else they could do.

Passers took information material; they looked at the photo displays and asked questions related to Falun Gong and practitioners answered with much patience and kindness. Even some policemen present in the park manifested interest and some of them took CD’s with the exercises and even a copy of Zhuan Falun, the book that contains the teachings of Falun Gong.

Also, there were exposed copies of several paintings created by Falun Dafa practitioners, paintings that described both the beauty of traditional Chinese culture and some aspects of the persecution.

Everything went naturally. Some passers-by wanted to learn the exercises, asking if we could establish a practice site in Sibiu. Even some little children tried to learn the exercises.

A teacher from Gheorghe Baritiu high school in Sibiu came with several students to get explanations about Falun Gong and human rights violations in China. Of course, the information was new to most of the students and on their faces could be seen a wonder and unrest when finding out the news about innocent peoples being jailed for their faith.

Also there were present two television stations, one of them wanting to make a report about Falun Gong.
The editor of a newspaper from Sibiu contacted a practitioner and asked for additional information about Falun Gong and invited the practitioners to return to Sibiu in September.

The city of Sibiu proved to be a good host and Falun Dafa practitioners proposed to organize other information events in Sibiu. We thank to those who supported this event.