(Minghui.org) Recognized as one of the top 100 events in Canada, the annual Niagara Wine Festival is well known for promoting cultural exchange and empowering the community. During the festival's “Harvest Street Party” parade on September 26, Falun Gong practitioners once again presented the Divine Land Marching Band and traditional waist drummers.
Practitioners take part in the Niagara Wine Festival on September 26, 2015
Waist drummers perform in the Wine Festival parade
The practitioners, from the Toronto area, traveled about 80 miles to take part in the event. During the two-hour parade, watched by approximately 100,000 spectators, many praised the practitioners' performance.
Among them is Mr. Watson, an 85-year-old resident of St. Catharines. “I was deeply moved by the band—it is so nice!” He took a pamphlet from a practitioner and said that he looked forward to learning more about Falun Gong.
“Here We Celebrate Diversity”
Murray, a member of the St. Catharines Shrine Club, which also participated in the parade, said he enjoyed the performance very much. He was impressed by the large size of the band, including the number of musicians and the range of musical instruments.
Murray was surprised to learn that Falun Gong is being persecuted in China, and said that the suppression is wrong. “Falun Gong practitioners have made great contributions to the community, such as bringing the great music today. Here, we celebrate diversity.”
Murray enjoyed the practitioners' performance very much.
Al, coordinator of a dragon dance group in the event, said he had seen the Divine Land Marching Band before and always enjoys the band. He said that the band plays music that is very “uplifting.” “It is very rare to find a marching band like this,” he remarked.
“I Like Everything about This Band”
Marilyn is also part of the Al's dragon dance group. “This is the first time I saw this band [the Divine Land Marching Band] and it is great.” Pointing to the words “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” emblazoned on the back of the band shirts, she said that she agreed with these principles.
Marilyn kept talking with practitioners until her group was ready to march. When she heard about the suppression in China, she said, “I am so sorry for this and I will read more about it.”
Marilyn said she appreciated the principles of “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”
Chris watched the parade with her sister and mother. They were excited and clapped as the Divine Land Marching Band passed by. “I like everything about this band, from the music, color, and costumes,” Chris said. “And the waist drumming is awesome, too.”
The three were aware of the persecution of Falun Gong in China. “Your group are really outstanding and I hope you come again,” Chris added.
Support from Chinese People
Mr. Zhang, originally from Guangdong Province, China was watching the parade with his son, and they praised the Falun Gong group. Mr. Zhang said he had lived in Canada for 20 years and he often saw Falun Gong practitioners performing in parades. “I like it a lot every time, and I am proud of that because I am a Chinese too.” His son gave a thumbs-up to the practitioners “Very good!” he said.
Mr. Zhou and his wife are tourists from Beijing. “This is the first time I saw a parade outside China. And the Falun Gong group looks great!” Mr. Zhou was aware of the persecution in China and, upon hearing that Jiang Zemin has been sued for persecuting Falun Gong, he nodded in agreement. “He deserves it—after all, Falun Gong practitioners should have their freedom.”
