(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners from multiple European countries held a parade in Vienna, Austria, which stepped off from Stephansplatz on August 29, 2026. Many spectators watched as practitioners walked by the commercial street Graben, the Vienna State Opera Wiener Staatsoper, and the major shopping street Mariahilfer Straße.

Falun Dafa practitioners hold a parade in Vienna, Austria, on August 29, 2026. (Minghui.org)

Appealing Music

The Tian Guo Marching Band led the parade. Ms. Fischer, an opera singer, saw their performance and commented, “Very interesting. This music contains something that is truly appealing. I really like it.

“The initial impression is [that the music is] cheerful and full of energy. At the same time, it is solemn, or graceful and solemn,” she said. “Those brass instruments presented resilience and discipline. It was also perfect, because all the musicians played each part uniformly.”

She was surprised to learn that the performers were all Falun Dafa practitioners. This was the first time Ms. Fischer had heard about Falun Dafa. When she learned about Dafa’s principles, she remarked, “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance—these are also my life principles. I believe that only by following these can we live a good life on this earth together, resist persecution, and stop wars.

“Music can touch people. This is truly important,” she said. She told practitioners, “Thank you for hosting such an event in Vienna. I hope you can hold similar events.”

Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Resonate With People

Frank, a media designer from Germany, said that he felt a strong energy from the parade. He and his friends said they were most moved by Falun Dafa’s guiding principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance highlighted in the parade.

One of his friends, Susanne, a palliative care nurse who lives in Bavaria, said, “I hope the whole world can wake up and feel this. I also believe that this will be the direction of the future. This will definitely come true. We are headed there. This is truly beautiful.”

Another friend, Beate, a swimming pool manager from Switzerland, agreed, “We actually all hope to return to that state [Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance]. This is what we all yearn for in our hearts.”

Emilia Wiankowska, a student from Poland, also agreed, “These are all values that I hope to follow in life. I also encourage everyone to follow them. Because I know that if everyone follows these values, society and the whole world will be happier and kinder to each other.”

She added, “[Falun Dafa] does not have a rigid organizational structure, unlike some religions that collect money and operate like a bureaucracy... Any kind person would support them, and these values should be acceptable to all people.”

Both Pain and Joy

Practitioners raise awareness of the persecution and call for its end. (Minghui.org)

After learning how practitioners are persecuted in China, Beate said, “I now feel both pain and joy... I keep thinking, maybe I’m in tears because all of us are in fact one and connected. We are actually a part of these [persecution] crimes. This thought suddenly came to mind. Maybe it’s this sense of guilt.”

Preschool teacher Gerda Kreci was out shopping with her daughter when she spoke with a practitioner and learned about Falun Dafa and the persecution. She said her first impression of Falun Dafa was “very positive.” About the persecution, she said, “It is very sad and makes people support them, absolutely... What is important is that people should think independently and make their own decisions, instead of letting superiors decide for them.”

People Wish to Help Stop the Persecution

People sign the petition calling for an end to the persecution. (Minghui.org)

Sofia, a middle school student from Mexico, said, “I think it’s truly horrible that they are suffering this kind of persecution simply because they have healthy bodies and have a better state of mind... I want to learn more about it.”

Sofia said about Falun Dafa, “I think it’s great. Not only does it keep the body healthy, it also cares about the spiritual dimension like values and traditions. It’s a great thing that they can persist in practicing it.”

She said that was why she signed the petition. “They hold this kind of event because they need help. If I were to need help in the same situation, I would also hope that others could help me. So I want to help them.”

Hope and a New Beginning

“All this will end soon,” said Beate. “Those old systems are disintegrating. All the old systems will collapse. And then brand new things will come out. I have been waiting for this moment for a long time. Now this moment is finally coming. The situation in China will also end soon. We just need to be patient.”

Another spectator, Emilia, said about the Tian Guo Marching Band’s music, “It makes you feel full of hope and calm.”

Ms. Fischer and Ms. Kreci both said they planned to learn Falun Dafa at a park in Vienna where Dafa practitioners gather to do the exercises.