(Minghui.org) The Istanbul European and Asian Arts Centre held a book fair from March 26 to April 3, 2022. Falun Dafa practitioners displayed the third edition of Zhuan Falun in Turkish to the fair.

Introducing Falun Dafa

Practitioners tell people about Falun Dafa and Zhuan Falun.

At the start of the book fair, practitioners held a book launch for the publication of the new Turkish language edition of Zhuan Falun. At the event, they introduced Falun Dafa to people who had come from all over Istanbul. They explained that it is a cultivation practice of both mind and body and is based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

They told the audience that, from 1992 to 1999, within a short seven years, about 100 million people in China started practicing Falun Dafa in China. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) dictatorship became fearful of so many people believing in Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance and started an unprecedented persecution of the practice in July 1999 that continues to this day. They even harvest Falun Dafa practitioners’ organs while they are still alive to profit in the organ transplant trade.

They also demonstrated the Falun Dafa exercises. Some of the visitors learned the exercises right on the spot and many people took truth-clarifying booklets.

An endless stream of visitors came to learn the Falun Dafa exercises.

Many of the exhibitors and visitors commented on the good vibe they got from the colorful Falun Dafa booth and the Falun Dafa music.

Ms. Aslı, one of the book fair organizers, was among the first to visit the Falun Dafa booth. Not only did she take a copy of Zhuan Falun, she also learned the exercises. She said, “When I came here, I was feeling nervous and tired. As I learned the exercises, I felt true relaxation and calm. I also felt energy flowing through my body. I definitely believe that this practice is beneficial for me.”

Signing the Dafa Petition

Ms. Esra Akeroğlu, a famous confectioner

46-year-old Ms. Esra Akeroğlu, a famous confectioner, said, “I have not heard about Falun Dafa before. When I saw you all, I just came right over because the practice and the music were so instantly comforting. Your smiles and calm make people feel peaceful. Your practice triggered my curiosity.”

Ms. Esra has over 26 thousand followers on her Instagram account and she did a live streaming on her Instagram page of her learning the exercises.

Ms. Esra also signed the petition to condemn the persecution. She said, “It is 2022 but to think this kind of persecution is still happening in China. This is really terrible and scary!”

Young Students Share their Thoughts

High school student Sude felt relaxed learning the meditation exercise.

Sude, 15, is a high school student. She learned the fifth exercise, Reinforcing Supernatural Powers. She said, “After practicing the meditation, I relaxed a lot. I really liked it and want to do it again.”

During the book fair, which lasted for nine days, students from different schools paid attention to the petition counter every day. They and their teachers stopped by to watch the Falun Dafa exercise demonstrations and showed great interest in the practitioners. Many of the students learned the exercises, signed the petition, and shared their experiences learning the Falun Dafa exercises.

Yunus Emre, 11, said, “When I was learning the Falun Dafa exercise, I felt very comfortable, very good. I think that I should do this [referring to signing the petition to condemn the persecution]! The persecution is a very bad thing.”

Umar, 13, said, “The CCP persecution is very terrible. This kind of meditation calms the heart and makes people relax. We should make the CCP go away.”

Enes, 10, said, “Meditation and calming one’s heart brings peace and harmony. They cannot persecute this!”

Muhammad, 13, said, “When I was doing the meditation, I felt relieved. Persecuting people is very wrong. Everyone has the right to practice such an exercise!”

Emir, 11, said, “After practicing the exercise, my mood is so much more pleasant, as though my anger is all gone. From what I see, the torture is very bad. It is the embodiment of the evil to come and torture people, wanting to attack those people who practice Falun Dafa.”

A group of primary school teachers and students who were visiting the book fair said along with the Falun Dafa practitioners, “The world needs Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance!”

International television channel TV8.5 interviewed a practitioner about the situation of Falun Dafa and the persecution it faces in China.