(Clearwisdom.net) Saturday was a day of constant rain in Oslo, Norway's capital. But it was also the day of the Oslo Autumn Festival, an annual event where the shops in the center of the city entice people to go shopping. So it was likely that there would be a lot of people in the city this weekend. The weekend was also the start of a Chinese cultural festival, a week-long celebration of Chinese culture and fifty years of relations between Norway and the People's Republic of China.
Falun Gong practitioners thought this would be a very good opportunity to let people know the truth about Falun Gong and its persecution in China. They obtained permission for a display in one of the busiest places in the city center, a small market square in the middle of the bustling Karl Johan Street. They demonstrated the five sets of Falun Gong exercises, displayed several torture methods used on Falun Gong practitioners in Chinese labor camps and prisons, collected petition signatures in support of Falun Gong, distributed flyers, and talked with the local people.
Despite the rain, people stopped or came by to take a look at the exhibition. Many showed genuine concern about the situation and signed the petition. Many were surprised upon seeing the anti-torture exhibition, and asked if this kind of thing really still happens these days. Practitioners could then tell them the facts about the persecution.
Many people wanted to know the deeper meaning behind Falun Gong, and some also wanted to know where they could go to learn the exercises. They were really surprised when they learned that Falun Gong classes are always free of charge. Altogether, people had a very positive attitude towards the practitioners, despite the bad weather.
Sunday was a day of fair weather and sunshine. The combination of good weather and this special event helped our activities to be successful. As on Saturday, practitioners had a display on Egertorvet. The festival commenced with a parade, the route of which passed through Egertorvet. As it happened, the parade stopped there, so all those who participated got a good look at Falun Gong practitioners practicing the exercises. Everywhere you could only see happy, smiling people. Many people from the parade came forward to our stand to take some information materials.
One of the practitioners remembers, "As the Chinese parade stopped in front of us, I was distributing flyers. Suddenly, six Chinese adolescents, all girls, left the parade and came towards me. They were looking at my yellow jacket. On it is printed 'Falun Dafa Hao'. One of the girls said 'Falun Dafa is Good.'
I thought she was translating, so I started to explain that it was legal to be a practitioner in all countries except China, that we could stand in the middle of the street, that the police knew we were here, etc. She looked at me and said that they knew Falun Gong is good. It was just the government who did not know. Everyone knew Falun Gong was good. They were sorry that they could not go home and tell people, because Falun Gong was outlawed and they were scared. They thanked me for being in the street and telling people about Falun Gong, the persecution, and the torture. They thanked us for wanting to help them."
Another practitioner stated, "I noticed two people who were chatting with a practitioner for a long time. One of them came over to me to sign the petition. He was upset and said that everyone should sign; he was embarrassed about all the people who just passed by without signing. Then he went back to chatting again. I overheard him repeat that he was embarrassed and ashamed over those who passed by, without signing."
A practitioner talking with two elderly ladies explained how one did the exercises and tried to live according to the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, whereby one of them spontaneously exclaimed, "Oh, I need that!" Now they wish to learn more about Falun Gong.
On this beautiful day, tourists and citizens of Oslo, Chinese as well as Norwegians, could all experience the harmony and happiness that Falun Dafa gives to people who want to cultivate!
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Category: Parades & Other Community Events
