(Minghui.org) One of the largest celebrations in Japan – the Hiroshima Flower Festival, kicked off again on June 10, 2023 after a 4-year hiatus. Falun Dafa practitioners were invited to participate in the festival parade and their entry attracted much positive attention. 

An aerial image of the Falun Dafa practitioners’ group was published in the local media’s report on the parade.

Falun Dafa practitioners participated in the 46^th Hiroshima Flower Festival. An aerial photo shows the Falun Dafa group in the parade. 

With the COVID pandemic and war in the Ukraine, the world’s situation is challenging, so this year’s festival theme: “Power of Flowers – Hiroshima flowers bloom and are sent across the world,” is particularly meaningful. The theme is meant to encourage people who are still in pain and expresses the wish for a better future for the world’s people.

Due to the Hiroshima Summit in May this year, the two-day 46th Hiroshima Flower Festival which is usually held during Golden Week was postponed to June. On opening day, more than 680,000 visitors from Japan and abroad attended the popular event. More than 5,600 people from 90 groups participated in the parade held the first day. The scene was grand and lively. Hiroshima RCC TV station broadcast the parade live and then rebroadcast it in the evening.

Crowds watch the Falun Dafa group in the parade. 

The Falun Dafa entry included the Tian Guo Marching Band, a float, an exercise demonstration team and the waist drum team. Many spectators praised their entry. During the parade, the moderator of the organizing committee repeatedly introduced Falun Dafa to the audience. 

The Persecution of Falun Dafa Must Stop

Ozaki Yosinori traveled from Okayama Prefecture to attend the Flower Festival. When a practitioner told him about Falun Dafa and the Chinese Communist Party’s brutal persecution in China, he said, “The contrast between such a peaceful group and the cruel persecution in China is shocking. People should not persecuted, and I hope the persecution will stop as soon as possible.”

Ozaki Yosinori 

Mr. Yosinori said, “Today’s trip was worthwhile. We must take a good look at the performances of the Falun Dafa group. I also wrote down the link of the Falun Dafa website. I plan to read it carefully after I go home and I’d like to learn Falun Dafa.”

Falun Dafa Carries Positive Energy

Christine Joy and Jasmin De Leon are from the Philippines. Ms. Joy was sightseeing in Japan, and said it was the first time she saw the Tian Guo Marching Band perform. She really enjoyed it and explained that she’s seen Falun Dafa practitioners activities in Manila, which left a deep impression on her.

Christine Joy (left) and Jasmin De Leon (right) 

Ms. Leon has lived in Japan for 15 years. She said she’s seen practitioners perform during the Flower Festival many times, and they are always impressive. Even after several years, she was still able to quickly find the Falun Dafa group, and she’s always happy to see them.

Takeda Masataka, who watched the parade, said, “The Falun Dafa group is exciting and wonderful.”

Masataka Takeda enjoyed the practitioners’ performances at the Flower Festival. 

Alex Kranenburg from the Netherlands remarked, “The Falun Dafa group is amazing and full of positive energy.”

Alex Kraenberg from the Netherlands