(Minghui.org) The cheerful sound of waist drums attracted many passersby in Bratislava's Main Square (Hlavné námestie) on Sunday, May 10. They were fascinated by these unique traditional instruments, typically used at Chinese folk festivals.

The performance was part of a World Falun Dafa Day celebration, commemorating the day when Falun Dafa’s founder, Mr. Li Hongzhi, first introduced the cultivation practice to the public. On May 13, 1992, Master Li held the first Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) seminar at a middle school in his hometown of Changchun.

Falun Gong practitioners from Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic gathered together on May 10 to celebrate this special occasion. In addition to the waist drum performances, practitioners demonstrated the exercises and introduced Falun Gong to passersby.

Practitioners played the waist drums to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day.

Practitioners demonstrated the exercises in Bratislava’s Main Square.

Several members of the Slovak Parliament attended the event to show their support, and many passersby stopped to talk. While people commended the practice’s positive spiritual values, they also expressed their dismay at the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong. They expressed their hope that justice will ultimately prevail.

People Admire Falun Dafa’s Principles

The vibrant colors and compelling music were very popular at the event. The idea of improving morality through cultivation resonated with many people who, after learning more about Falun Gong, believed that its values could benefit today’s society.

Passersby stopped to converse with practitioners and gain a deeper understanding of their beliefs.

Monika Nguyenová, who was particularly drawn to the principles of Falun Gong, said, “Nowadays, people tend to focus solely on material needs, but we should also strive for spiritual elevation.” She regards meditation as an essential part of life and thinks more people will come to value this in the future.

Monika thought that Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance could benefit people today. She said, “When a person speaks the truth, they are often criticized for it. People should have the opportunity to freely express their views.”

Katarína, who works in banking, said, “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are values that are lacking in today’s society” and that that they can help improve interpersonal relationships and the overall social climate.

Supporting Practitioners in Upholding Their Faith

World Falun Dafa Day is celebrated in over 100 countries and regions—including China. Since 1999, however, the CCP has been persecuting Falun Gong in China. Although practitioners in China are unable to celebrate openly, unlike practitioners in the rest of the world, they typically gather privately on Falun Dafa Day to study the teachings and share their cultivation experiences.

Every year, the Minghui website publishes tens of thousands of greeting cards from practitioners all across China, conveying their best World Falun Dafa Day wishes to Master Li Hongzhi and also wishing him a happy birthday. Many practitioners from China also anonymously submit their cultivation stories and celebrate the joy they have found on their spiritual journeys.

Monika Nguyenová encouraged Falun Gong practitioners in China to remain steadfast in their beliefs and continue to cherish these values. She remarked that the CCP’s attempts to control its people and suppress their freedom “will not lead to a bright future.”

Katarina said she already knew about the human rights abuses in China from the media and expressed her solidarity with and support for those being persecuted there. She hopes that more and more Chinese will stand with Falun Gong practitioners so that they can all be free.

Both women signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong.

People in Bratislava signed a petition calling on the CCP to stop persecuting Falun Gong.

Member of Parliament: On This Special Day, We Stand United

In his address at the event, Slovak Member of Parliament František Mikloško expressed his support for Falun Gong practitioners as they celebrated their faith. At the same time, he noted that, on this joyous occasion, people should not forget the practitioners in China.

Mr. Mikloško said, “The world has formed a spiritual community. We can express our solidarity with [Falun Gong practitioners in China], stand with them, keep them in our thoughts, and in this way establish a connection with those facing such severe trials. They are innocent, yet they face such brutal persecution simply because they wiant to elevate their spiritual realm.”

Slovak Member of Parliament František Mikloško spoke at a Falun Dafa Day event in Bratislava's Main Square.

Slovak Member of Parliament Ondrej Dostál expressed similar views, saying, “The history of modern democracy in Slovakia began in November 1989. At the forefront of that democratic movement was Václav Havel. His most famous quote is: ‘Truth and love must triumph over lies and hatred.’ Essentially, this is very similar to the struggle between good and evil in fairy tales, and it also echoes the message we see on a banner here: ‘The World Needs Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.’”

Ondrej Dostál spoke at the Falun Dafa Day celebration.

“The persecution of Falun Gong will eventually come to an end in China, and Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance will surely be upheld there one day,” he said.