(Minghui.org) Practitioners in Kyiv celebrated World Falun Dafa Day on May 10, 2026, in the main street of the Ukrainian capital, Khreshchatyk, which is always bustling with people.

World Falun Dafa Day commemorates the public introduction of the spiritual practice in China. On May 13, 1992, Master Li Hongzhi held the first Falun Gong seminar in his hometown of Changchun. Since then, the practice has spread to over 100 countries and regions, and millions of practitioners have experienced mind and body improvements by cultivating Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and doing the five exercises. During this special anniversary, practitioners around the world hold celebrations to share their spiritual way and express their gratitude to Master Li.

A group of Ukrainian practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises, while a young practitioner dressed as a celestial maiden followed along as she stood inside a large lotus flower. Informational materials about the practice were also handed out to passersby.

Ukrainian practitioners gathered on the main street of Khreshchatyk in Kyiv to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day on May 10. (Minghui.org)

Maintaining Peace and Hope in Times of War

Practitioners at the event were of all ages and experience levels. Some have only been practicing for a year, while others have been practicing for decades. They took the opportunity to express their appreciation for Falun Dafa and shared experiences of how cultivation has improved their lives.

Alla is 79 years old. She has been practicing for about 13 years. Even strangers often tell her how well she looks, and she lets them know that it is thanks to Falun Dafa. At events, Alla usually hands out brochures. She also goes to the park near her home almost every day to do the exercises.

Alla, 79, enjoys good health and youthful looks thanks to her spiritual practice. (Minghui.org)

Alla actually first came across the practice on Khreshchatyk. As she was walking past a practice site, she was given a flier. She recalled that it was the spiritual aspect of Falun Dafa that interested her most.

“It is Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance,” she said. “I’ve spent my whole life searching for the meaning of life. I tried this and that, but nothing ever quite satisfied me. And here I found my true self. I’ve gotten rid of illnesses and improved my health. But the main thing I’m learning is how to live in harmony with myself and the world around me. It’s very challenging, but I keep striving, and I see the results.”

Maryana says Dafa’s teachings helped her cope with the stress and anxiety of living in wartime in Ukraine. (Minghui.org)

Maryana has been practicing Falun Dafa for over two years. She discovered the practice online by attending a webinar. “As you practice, you become filled with kindness,” she said. “More and more space is freed up in your heart, precisely for genuine and kind things.”

Maryana is very keen to help people in Ukraine, who are currently enduring a great deal of suffering. She explained, “I want to show people there is something that can help them get their lives in order, put everything in its rightful place. In general, everything in the world falls into place when you understand how it all works.”

When Maryana first found Dafa, the war was raging. “War is a state that starts to turn everything inside you upside down,” she said. “You begin to ponder things you would never have thought about before. Falun Dafa offers the opportunity to understand all of this. And for me, as a practitioner, it has created a core of inner harmony, because I know things won’t always go the way I want them to, but they will go the way they’re meant to. And you simply need to remain human in all circumstances, keeping your good intentions and a kind heart.”

Natalia is a new practitioner who has experienced many health benefits. (Minghui.org)

Natalia has been practicing Falun Dafa for about a year. After discovering the practice, she immediately began doing the exercises daily and studying the lectures.

There was a time in Natalya’s life when, due to osteochondrosis, she couldn’t even dress herself—her children had to help her. Practicing Falun Dafa changed everything.

“I started seeing changes straightaway,” she said. “I went to my first class, gave it a go, and instead of getting better, I actually got worse. But I kept practicing. My old childhood condition flared up—I had joint problems. A swelling appeared below my knees, and it was difficult to squat. But I kept doing the exercises, and after two days it went away. Then all sorts of other health issues would appear and then disappear, and little by little my health improved. And then I noticed that the osteochondrosis I’d had since 2007 had disappeared.”

Denis is a veteran practitioner and hopes other Ukrainians can find the same hope he has through self-cultivation. (Minghui.org)

Denis has been practicing Falun Dafa for around 20 years and wanted to convey a message of hope to others. He said, “Despite the difficulties and challenging moments in life, there is still knowledge that can offer people support. I want to say to our fellow Ukrainians to hold onto hope, even though things are very tough, especially at the moment. Through this event, we want to share the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. If a person can align themselves with these, believe in them, and be kind at heart, then the universe will surely respond with mercy and provide a way out, offering hope for the future.”

Passersby Learn About Falun Dafa

Even while the practitioners were just starting to decorate the venue, passersby already started showing interest in the colorful event.

Two women stopped at a table with a variety of information about the practice, including newspapers, leaflets, calendars, and origami lotus flowers. As they looked through everything, they asked questions and were very impressed that Falun Dafa is taught free of charge.

One lady, Nadezhda, said she had long dreamed of taking up qigong: “I had a friend who used to practice qigong, and I got the impression it was very difficult. She said it wasn’t for me. But here it’s being offered for free, and I thought perhaps it might suit me.”

Nadezhda and her companion said they would come to the next Falun Gong introductory session, and Nadezhda did indeed go to the beginners’ class the following Sunday.

Nadezhda joined the Falun Dafa practitioners at their exercise site. (Minghui.org)

A few secondary school pupils stopped to watch the practitioners doing the exercises. They took fliers and, after a few minutes, started asking about the practice.

One said, “I get it, this helps you find yourself. It’s like agreeing with what one person says, and what another says, but how do you know your own mind? Perhaps that’s it—finding your true self among the many selves.”

He also asked how he could start practicing, and was very pleased to find out about learning online.

A middle-aged couple asked what the practitioners were doing during the meditation exercise. After learning about Falun Dafa and the meaning of the event, the husband said, “We really like what you’re doing. Yes, spirituality plays a very important role in a person’s life.”