(Minghui.org) This was the 11th year the Tian Guo Marching Band was invited to participate in the Chiayi City International Band Festival parade, which was held on December 17, 2022. The Tian Guo Marching Band in Taiwan consists of 200 members who are all Falun Dafa practitioners. Spectators were pleasantly surprised to see their traditional Chinese costumes and praised their performances.
Since 1993, this popular band festival has taken place in mid-December, and 2022 marks its 30th anniversary. About 80 performances were scheduled. Forty-three groups participated in the parade. The festival ends on December 31. Starting from the landmark Fountain Circle, the 6-kilometer (or 4-mile) parade route continued on Zhongshan Road, turned right onto Xinsheng Road, Qiming Road, and Tiyu Road before arriving at the Civil Sports Center.
The Tian Guo Marching Band performed in Chiayi on December 17.
Students and teachers from the Minghui School welcomed the Tian Guo Marching Band.
Celebration with the Communities
When the parade started from Fountain Circle and went on Zhongshan Road, the music changed to “Kao Shan Ching,” a well-known folk song in Taiwan. In addition, the band also played “Falun Dafa Is Good,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and “Jingle Bells” along with other melodies.
A major street in Chiayi, the Zhongshan Road area is the city’s cultural and business center. Impressed by the Tian Guo Marching Band's music, many people said this was the best band they'd ever heard. “We are fortunate to be here and sharing the beauty of Falun Dafa and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” remarked the band director.
Spectacular Performance
One Japanese tourist followed the band and kept taking videos. “Their costumes are amazing and the music is well synchronized. Truly awesome!” he said with a thumbs up. “I also heard about Falun Dafa. It’s a very good practice.”
Lin (left) is a student from Beixing Junior High School.
Lin, a student from Beixing Junior High School, said she really liked the band’s costumes. She was also impressed because, although some band members were old, they still had lots of energy even after walking such a long distance on a cold, rainy day. “The music makes me feel refreshed – I've never felt so good,” she added.
Zhang (right) performs with the Taichung Women’s Wind Ensemble.
Zhang, a clarinet player from Taichung Women’s Wind Ensemble, praised the Tian Guo March Band for their outstanding music. “It is wonderful to hear something so beautiful on such a cold day,” she explained. She said she knew that Falun Dafa is a meditation system that improves mind and body.
Luo works in a store nearby and said she found the music peaceful and inspiring. She believes everyone would like the band and their music. “Falun Dafa practitioners are nice people and it is wrong for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to suppress a group like this,” she said.
Huang, a resident of Taoyuan, came with his family. His child was excited to receive a lotus flower from practitioners. He said this was the first time he’s heard the band perform, and he really enjoyed it. “The music is unique and filled with kindness, something from the divine,” he said.
A teacher from Chiapei Elementary School watched the parade with his wife and child. He said, “The band members coordinated well and the music is uplifting. It is really spectacular!” He and his family applauded the band’s performance.
Zhang, a business professional from Hsinchu, kept waving as the band passed, and said, “The music of ‘Kao Shan Ching’ is superb and the entire band is amazing. I cannot wait to see them again next year.”
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