A ‘Petals of Peace’ Cultural Event showcasing the beauty of traditional Chinese dance, music and exercises delighted a large crowd at Peregian Beach, Sunday, 7th December 2003. Hundreds of people enjoyed this family event and were touched by the meaning behind it.
The cultural event was dedicated to a 3-year-old Australian-Chinese girl named Fadu, and to all children around the world. The highlights of the stage entertainment included traditional Chinese dances such as the Lotus dance, Umbrella dance, and Fan dance. An ensemble of 5 western practitioners performed 4 exceptional songs, including the inspirational song ‘Petals of Peace’, with the theme of caring for all children. Children in the audience enthusiastically brought their lotus flowers up to the stage to dance during the song. Another piece, “Call to Heart”, reflected the call and hope from the hearts of thousands of practitioners being persecuted in China. The audience was visibly touched during the performance.
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The public were invited to fold origami lotus flowers as a gesture of support for other children like Fadu. Both adults and children were keen to participate and take home a beautiful lotus flower as a reminder of the event. The cultural event was a highlight of the ‘Petals of Peace’ initiative that we have been sharing with our local community over recent months.
We have held numerous ‘Petals of Peace’ origami lotus folding workshops and displays at local libraries, primary schools and shopping centres. Both young and old alike within our local community have eagerly participated in folding paper lotus flowers while presenting our theme of peace and the hope for a brighter future for all children.
Peoples’ hearts were moved to hear of little Fadu’s story (the inspiration behind this project) and her father’s tragic loss of life, for simply wanting to uphold the principles of ‘Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance’.
Through the Petals of Peace initiative and and similar cultual events, we hope to not only raise awareness of the suffering of little children like Fadu, but also to encourage harmony and international understanding so that the worlds’ children can look forward to a brighter future.
Posting date: 12/Dec/2003
Original article date: 8/Dec/2003
Category: Australian News
