(Minghui.org) Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa) practitioners participated in the annual Bendigo Gala Parade on April 16, 2017. The parade was part of the four-day-long 140th Bendigo Easter Festival, which attracted a large number of tourists from around Australia and the world. More than one hundred groups participated in the Gala Parade. Bendigo is about a 2 hour drive from Melbourne.

The Falun Gong procession, with close to one hundred practitioners, was very well received by the parade spectators. Practitioners brought the message of Falun Dafa and traditional Chinese culture with the Tian Guo Marching Band, a Falun Gong exercise demonstration, a colorful fan dance, dazzling imperial court fashion, and joyful waist-drum playing.

Falun Gong practitioners participate in the Gala Parade during the 140^th annual Bendigo Easter Festival.

Mr. Syed Wakil, an information technology expert from Melbourne, watched the parade with his family. He was very excited to see Falun Gong, and said that it was very special. “Their costumes and performance are beautiful! The marching band is great! My whole family enjoyed their music, every piece of music they played!” He planned to get online to find out more about Falun Dafa. On hearing about the persecution in China, Mr. Wakil said that Falun Dafa benefits humanity and should certainly be supported.

Ms. O'Connell, a retired teacher, enjoyed the music of Falun Gong's marching band.

Ms. O'Connell, a retired teacher from Bendigo, has watched the parade for the past 50 years. She thought this year's parade stood out. “The Falun Gong procession is beautiful. I like the different dances. The music is very unique!” Ms. O'Connell said she feels that meditation plays a positive role in society.

Ms. Julianne Morris was moved by the music of the Tian Guo Marching Band.

Ms. Julianne Morris, an elementary school teacher, had been watching the parade for the past 44 years. She too very much enjoyed the Falun Gong group this year. She thought the performance of the Tian Guo Marching Band was superb and moving. Ms. Morris was saddened to hear that Falun Gong is persecuted in China, and believes that most Australians would like to help stop it.

Ms. Sofia Roma, a Falun Gong practitioner from Greece, was one of the fan dancers. She said with a big smile, “Different ethnic groups brought the best of their culture to the Easter parade today. Falun Dafa has brought the beauty of traditional Chinese culture and all factors that uplift one's spirit. People won't be fooled by the Chinese Communist Party's propaganda when they see Falun Dafa practitioners. The Communist Party can't make Dafa practitioners give up, because it's a cultivation group guided by Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance.”