(Minghui.org) French cities held various Fête des Associations festivals at the start of the new school year to introduce cultural, artistic, and sports activities to enrich people’s lives. Falun Gong practitioners were invited to participate in many of these community events, giving them a platform to introduce the spiritual practice to local people.
Falun Gong is a cultivation practice that was brought to the public in China in 1992 and has since benefited the physical and mental health of millions of people around the world. Practitioners hope to spread the practice to help more people benefit from it and have bright futures.
Hundreds Sign Up to Learn Falun Gong at the Agde Community Festival in Southern France
Agde is a coastal city located in the Hérault department within the Occitanie region of Southern France. It is famous for its ancient architecture built from black volcanic stone.
Falun Gong practitioners participated in the Fête des Associations held in Agde on Saturday, September 7, 2024. They introduced the practice and Falun Gong’s main book, Zhuan Falun, to the public.
They demonstrated the five sets of exercises to the public during the event and received a warm round of applause. Hundreds of people enthusiastically signed up to learn the practice.
Mayor Sébastien Frey and town representatives of Agde spoke with Falun Gong practitioners at the event. Mayor Frey said, “If everyone followed the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, life would be much easier.”
Frédéric Forel, the new parish priest, knew about the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong because Catholics are similarly persecuted in China. He agreed that Falun Gong’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are much needed in the world.
Stéphanie, the city’s regional activities manager, was delighted to discover Falun Gong. She voiced plans to lead a group of young people to practice Falun Gong regularly with practitioners.
Françoise, an English teacher, signed up to learn Falun Gong and expressed interest in cultivating according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
Falun Gong booth at the community festival in Agde
Agde Mayor Sébastien Frey (center) and a municipal representative (left)
Frédéric Forel (second from right), the new parish priest, poses for a photo with local Falun Dafa practitioners.
Ricardo (center), host of the association festival, was happy to learn more about Falun Gong.
Practitioners intend to host more free Falun Gong classes in the future to encourage more people to learn the practice.
Visitor from Brittany: Meditation Can Improve One’s Quality of Life
The 5th arrondissement of Paris held a community festival at the Place de Pantheon on September 7. Falun Gong practitioners organized a one-hour exercise demonstration at the event venue in the afternoon.
Practitioners were invited to attend the community festival, hosted by the 5th arrondissement of Paris, on September 7.
Practitioners demonstrate the exercises at the community festival.
Nicolas, a visitor from the Brittany region of France, said he has a deep interest in qigong. After observing the Falun Gong exercise demonstration, he was impressed by the exercises. He said that meditation held the key to controlling one’s spirit and improving one’s quality of life. After obtaining additional information about Falun Gong, Nicolas voiced his desire to find a practice site near his home in Brittany to learn Falun Gong.
Stéphanie Robert and her son came across the Falun Gong booth at the festival. After hearing about the CCP’s persecution in China, the mother and son were appalled and sad. Stéphanie’s son said he agreed with the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. He said he was learning Chinese, and said he looked forward to reading the book Zhuan Falun. Stéphanie and her son said they hoped more people would come to learn about Falun Gong.
Stéphanie Robert and her son at the festival
Kindergarten principal Marie-Christine Boyot said the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are beneficial to all. She was stunned to learn about the extent of the CCP’s persecution.
Marie-Christine Boyot, a kindergarten principal
This is What We All Need
The 11th arrondissement of Paris held a community festival in a city park on September 14. Falun Gong practitioners participated in the event and helped introduce the practice to the public.
Falun Gong practitioners introduced Falun Gong to the public at the community festival in the 11th arrondissement of Paris.
Huguette Weinum, a research office secretary at a Paris hospital, was walking in the city park when she saw the Falun Gong booth and came right over. She was so overcome with happiness that she could hardly speak. She told practitioners that she had watched Shen Yun for the first time in Paris last year and picked up a Falun Gong flyer in the theater lobby. Besides her love for Shen Yun, she said she was fascinated by Eastern philosophy, Asian culture, meditation, relaxation, and principles of self-care.
Falun Gong’s principles are Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. “This is what we all need!” Ms. Weinum said, “These are values that should be preserved for posterity but are also vanishing from today’s society. People nowadays do not follow these values and have become self-centered and selfish.”
Ms. Weinum said the principles were beautiful philosophy that aligns with her values.
Practicing Falun Gong and Walking a Path Full of Hope
Falun Gong practitioners demonstrate the five sets of exercises at the 9th arrondissement government in Paris.
Practitioners introduce Falun Gong to the public at a forum held in the 9th arrondissement of Paris.
Practitioners attended an association forum held at the 9th arrondissement government office in Paris, on September 14.
Retired hospital employee Jean voiced his belief in what Falun Gong practitioners had told him, saying that their upright appearance, expressions, and words gave him confidence to do so.
Jean found himself agreeing with the principles of Falun Dafa, and said they would benefit society. He said the CCP’s persecution should stop, because practicing Falun Dafa enables one to walk a path full of hope.
Falun Gong practitioners introduced Falun Gong to the public at a community festival held in Antony, a suburb of Paris, on September 8.
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