(Minghui.org) May 13 is the 17^th annual celebration of World Falun Dafa Day and the 24^th anniversary of Falun Dafa's public introduction. It is also the birthday of Falun Gong founder Master Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) practitioners across the world celebrate World Falun Dafa Day every year and express appreciation to Master Li for introducing the practice. In Taiwan, celebration events in Taoyuan, Taichung and Miaoli took place.

Group Practice, Photo Exhibition, Art Performance and Signature Collection in Taoyuan

Around 700 Falun Gong practitioners gathered in Chung Cheng Park, Taoyuan on May 7, 2016 and held a series of Dafa Day events.

Group photo of Falun Gong practitioners celebrating World Falun Dafa Day and wishing Master Li a happy birthday in Chung Cheng Park, Taoyuan, Taiwan on May 7, 2016Group practice held during the World Falun Dafa Day event in Chung Cheng Park, Taoyuan, Taiwan on May 7, 2016

The Divine Land Marching Band performs in Taoyuan

The program started at 3 pm. The Divine Land Marching Band performed first, presenting a variety of numbers including Falun Dafa Is Great, Drum and Trumpet Shake the Ten Directions and Thank You Master

Flag and drum group performs at the Falun Dafa Day festivities in Taoyuan

The flag and drum group performed next. The flag and drum performers include Falun Gong practitioners from all walks of life, including shop owners, teachers and students.

The chorus performed next, presenting two songs in appreciation of Master Li.

Choral and instrumental performances in honor of World Falun Dafa Day in Taoyuan

Exercise demonstration

The practitioners also demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises. Some of the practitioners on stage were in their 50s and older. One was 80 years old. Everyone was energetic, glowing with good health.

The waist drum group performs

The waist drum group performed to the music Celebrating Dafa Day and Welcoming Spring. Members of the waist drum group ranged in age from their 20s to their 70s.

Exercise demonstration

Passers-by view photos in the Journey of Falun Dafa exhibition

Passers-by sign petition to support lawsuit against Jiang Zemin

At the end of the event, a group exercise practice was held. The peaceful scene drew the attention of passers-by. Many people stopped to view the photos in the Journey of Falun Dafa exhibition to learn about the worldwide spread of Dafa. A businessman who does business in China said he knew about the Chinese regime's persecution of the practice. He signed the petition to express his support for Falun Gong.

Celebration in Taichung

Practitioners in Taichung held a celebration event in Aofengshan Park. They did the exercises together, held a photo exhibition and presented music and dance performances.

Group photo of Falun Gong practitioners from Taichung, Changhua, Nantou and Yunlin celebrating World Falun Dafa Day and wishing Master Li a happy birthday

Group exercise demonstrationDance and music performances

In the morning, the practitioners held a photo exhibition in the park that showcased the worldwide spread of Falun Gong. The actual Falun Dafa Day celebration event started at 1 p.m., and included an exercise demonstration, a dance performance, and a performance by young practitioners. The event drew the attention of passers-by.

Taichung City Councilor Yang Dian-chung commends Falun Gong practitioners as a high-caliber groupTaichung City Councilor Wang Li-ren believes that Falun Gong's principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance will drive world developmentLiu Chen-rung, head of Chingshu District, Taichung, welcomes Falun Gong to his area

Taichung City Councilors Yang Dian-chung and Wang Li-ren, and Chingshu District head Liu Chen-rung joined the practitioners in the Dafa Day celebration. They commended Falun Gong for its high morals, and also condemned the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of Falun Gong on the mainland.

Passers-by view photos showing Falun Gong around the world.

Celebration in Miaoli

Falun Gong practitioners held a series events in Chunan Park on May 8 to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day. They first demonstrated the exercises, after which they staged music and dance performances.

Group photo of Falun Gong practitioners celebrating World Falun Dafa Day in Chunan Park, Miaoli on May 8, 2016. The banner reads “Master, Happy Birthday”

Falun Gong exercise demonstration

The first performance was a waist drum number. The energetic performance brought a jubilant atmosphere to the event.

Exuberant waist drummers perform

Young practitioners from the Minghui School perform a dance piece

Young practitioners from the Minghui School in Hsinbei Area gave a dance performance. These children range in age from 4 to ten years. Their lovely smiles and dancing won the audience's enthusiastic applause.

Photo exhibition, The Journey of Falun Dafa, held near the entrance of Chunan Park.