(Clearwisdom.net) On 20th May 2005, the first "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" International Art Exhibition opened to the public in the Cambridge Union. The President of Cambridge Union and a representative of Falun Gong practitioners delivered speeches. With explanations offered by volunteer guides, many people were deeply touched by the artistic power exhibited by the paintings. They were also moved by the practitioners' uncompromising courage.

Ribbon-cutting at the opening ceremony

People viewing the art exhibition

The Cambridge Union is a student society of the University of Cambridge located in the centre of town and claims to be the oldest student society in the world. It has more than 4000 members. Jaffar Khan, the President of the Cambridge Union, said in the opening ceremony, "The Union has always been a supporter of freedom; freedom of expression and artistic freedom." He told the audience that Cambridge Union is "pleased and honoured to be the first in the UK to display this exhibit", later commenting on how lovely the pictures are. It is reported that the University of Cambridge will offer the place for the exhibition for four weeks free of charge.

A member of the Cambridge Union, Dr. Kenneth Martin, was very supportive of the exhibit. He said that he is deeply touched by the Falun Gong practitioners' persistence. He quoted a piece of Chinese idiom, "dripping water wears through rock" and said that he believed as long as we keep up our persistent effort, history will demonstrate that "Wrong is wrong, and right will prevail."

A local Falun Gong practitioner spoke about the persecution in China, which inspired a number of these paintings, saying, "The most recent United Nations report on torture and detention shows clearly that China is the worst perpetrator of human rights violations in the world. They persecute Christians, Muslims and Tibetans as well; but this report shows 67% of China's violations are against people who practice Falun Gong." According to the introduction, the authors of these art works are all practitioners of Falun Gong. Four of them personally experienced the brutal persecution and torture.

An older person who came to the UK to visit his family signed with emotion after viewing the exhibition, "This art exhibition is really great! It truly revealed the persecution taking place in China. Falun Gong practitioners are really remarkable!"

A middle-aged woman stood in front of several paintings depicting the persecution suffered by Falun Gong practitioners' children and viewed them for a long time. Her eyes were wet when she talked to this reporter, "It is really touching! Seeing the child shedding tears in the painting, I could not help shedding tears myself. It is so horrible!"

A western gentleman said after visiting the exhibition, "Although I do not practice any form of Qigong, I clearly feel that the energy field is really strong here."

The exhibition is to tour around the UK.

Source: http://clearharmony.net/articles/200505/26703.html