(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners participated in the 48th Bristol Balloon Fiesta from August 7 to 9, 2026. One of the largest hot air balloon festivals in Europe, the popular event attracts thousands of visitors from various countries each year. This was the fourth year that practitioners were invited to participate.
Practitioners demonstrated the exercises and raised awareness about the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution. Many people stopped to watch as practitioners performed dragon and lion dances. They also signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution.
Dragon and Lion Dance Praised
August 7 coincided with the beginning of autumn in the Chinese calendar, and the air was crisp with a gentle autumn breeze. People cheered and applauded as practitioners performed the dragon and lion dances. They also took photos and videos and accepted the flyers practitioners handed out. Afterwards many people visited the booth to learn more about Falun Dafa and the persecution.
Practitioners perform at the 48th Bristol Balloon Fiesta. (Minghui.org)
People Sign Petition
Practitioners demonstrated the exercises and their gentle and graceful movements attracted many people to stop and watch. Some asked about Falun Dafa and some followed along to learn the movements.
Many people signed the petition to end the persecution. (Minghui.org)
“This Persecution Must Stop”
John Sweeney from Dorset said Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance were great moral principles. “It is dangerous to think little of these principles, because people would go astray,” he said.
John Sweeney from Dorset (Minghui.org)
After learning that the persecution has gone on for 27 years, Mr. Sweeney said, “Falun Dafa, Christianity, or faith, can all make people be better. This persecution must stop. People should be indignant about this. May God’s mercy help them!”
The World Needs More of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance
Chris from South Wales had some knowledge of the CCP’s persecution of various groups. He knew that besides Falun Dafa, the CCP also persecutes Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Buddhists.
Chris from South Wales (Minghui.org)
After he learned about the forced organ extractions in China, he said that this behavior is obviously wrong. Speaking of organ transplant tourism in China in recent years, he said, “Fundamentally speaking, it is state-sanctioned organ extracting.”
He also said that based on the current political landscape and situation, the world needs more of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.
A Returning Visitor Voices Support
Emma from Bristol said she heard about Falun Dafa at last year’s Balloon Fiesta. She, her family and friends all support Falun Dafa, and so she came to the booth to sign the petition on their behalf.
Emma (center) from Bristol signed the petition. (Minghui.org)
She said that Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are wonderful and if everyone conducted themselves according to these principles, the world would be better.
She said that such a peaceful and wonderful practice should not be suppressed, and she feels the persecution is completely intolerable.
Chinese Visitors Learn About Falun Dafa
People from China also visited the booth including a young couple. A practitioner told them that Falun Dafa is practiced in over 100 countries, and it can be legally and freely practiced in all countries.
The practitioner also explained the numerous questionable points about the CCP-staged Self Immolation on Tiananmen Square. The two kept nodding as they listened. Before they left, they asked for a card with information about breaking through the CCP’s Internet censorship and they took numerous materials. They planned to study further when they went home.
A student from China said he had heard about Falun Dafa and knew that the “Self Immolation” was a hoax. After a practitioner explained why millions of Chinese have withdrawn from the CCP and its affiliated organizations, he said he would go on The Epoch Times’ website to post a withdrawal statement.
He also said he is very interested in learning Falun Dafa. He asked the practitioner how he could learn the exercises online.
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