(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners in France participated in the annual organic farming expo in Besançon from April 7 to 9, introducing this Chinese qigong and cultivation practice to the public. Besides demonstrating the exercises, practitioners also told expo attendees about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, and collected signatures on a petition that condemns the Chinese regime's state-sanctioned organ harvesting of prisoners of conscience.

People learn the Falun Gong exercises at an organic farming expo in Besançon.

There were many qigong fans at the expo. Most had never heard of a qigong practice that doesn't charge a fee to learn it. Moreover, none of these people ever associated qigong with the moral principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance – the central teaching of Falun Gong

Practitioners explained the teachings of Falun Gong to visitors who stopped by. Many of them tried out the Falun Gong exercises. Some noted that they sensed a strong energy field around the practitioners' booth. Several said they planned to share what they learned with their friends. One visitor told practitioners that this was what he has been looking for, and another said that Falun Gong made his trip to Besançon worth it.

A family of four from Saint-Vit, a small town south of Besançon, was very interested in this practice that helps people to upgrade both mind and spirit. The whole family have practiced qigong for many years, but they never heard of a qigong practice that teaches people to return to one's true self. They learned the exercises and said that they would introduce Falun Gong to their friends.

Two young men from Planoise learned all five sets of exercises. They were also interested in reading the main text of Falun Gong, Zhuan Falun.

The organizer of the expo invited several reporters from the local media to interview the practitioners. They also took photos of the Falun Gong booth for their 2018 promotional materials.

Practitioners were pleased to accept an invitation to take part in next year's event.