Falun Gong Participated in “Christmas in Ellenbrook”

West Australian Falun Gong adherents took part in the “Christmas in Ellenbrook '' activities on December 11. Ellenbrook is a northeastern suburb of Perth about 30 km from the Perth CBD. Falun Gong members had two stalls in the market, presented a waist drum performance on stage, and had a large team in the Christmas Parade. Making origami lotus flowers is a popular activity for children and parents, attracting them to sit down at the “Petals of Peace” booth and learn to fold paper to create colourful lotus flowers. The "Petals of Peace" project was inspired by the true and heartbreaking story of an Australian-Chinese girl, whose father was tortured to death when she was only three years old, by the Chinese Communist Party, for his faith in the Falun Gong principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance". “Petals of Peace” is a global project that enables the telling of this tragic story in a peaceful and hopeful way. Falun Gong practitioners presented a galvanising 10-minute waist drum performance on the stage. Accompanied by music based on traditional culture the Waist Drum team combine their drumming skills with vibrant costumes and dance moves. During the Christmas parade, the Falun Gong team was led by two large banners, followed by celestial fairies, dynamic waist drummers, and an exhilarating golden dragon. Their golden costumes and the animated golden dragon roused the festive atmosphere, made children squeal and laugh, and brought people joy. This is the first time that Perth Falun Gong practitioners have participated in the Christmas festivities in Ellenbrook.