(Minghui.org) The Art of Zhen Shan Ren Exhibition was held at Yunus Emre Cultural Center in Bakırköy, Istanbul, Turkey, from February 16 to 25, 2024.

Janset

After listening to the stories behind the paintings, actress Janset said, “We are waiting [for Heaven] to save us. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is wonderful. These paintings are great. The evil seems powerful but justice will prevail. Kindness is peaceful, calm, and compassionate. Sometimes the evil seems to be dominate, but in fact it is not so.

“This is a good time to tell true stories. It is meaningful for me. Thank you!” she said.

I Want to Practice Falun Dafa

Kindergarten teacher Aygen Menekşe said, “This is an impressive exhibition. I have been studying meditation for a long time. I am inspired here. I want to practice Falun Dafa.”

Kemal Doğulu views the paintings.

Kemal Doğulu, a fashion designer, singer, and artistic director, said, “This art exhibition represents the conflict between good and evil. All the works reflect today’s reality. I like that they combine these styles and they look good.”

He said he liked the painting “Justice,” which shows how the perpetrators are punished by divine beings.

“I Want the Persecution to End”

Altun Bulut

Altun Bulut, who works in special education, said, “When I looked at the paintings, I saw that the souls were suffering. However, they contained more than just pain, they showed truth.”

Tuğba Güldamar Coşkun and Azra Coşkun

Tuğba Güldamar Coşkun, a veterinarian, and Azra Coşkun were moved to tears when they viewed the paintings. They said the paintings about the persecution made them feel sad—they wanted the world to be peaceful.

Özlem

Özlem graduated in journalism and used to be a general manager of a German company. She said, “I am interested in art, and this exhibition impressed me. My eyes filled with tears. Wherever there are people, there is oppression. I hope this persecution can end. I believe someone will save the world. I never despair.”

She later invited two relatives to go see the exhibition. They were also impressed.

Feels Positive Energy

“I felt energy when I entered the exhibition hall. It feels great here,” said a Turkish professor. A practitioner told him how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) persecutes kindhearted people. The professor said, “This persecution is a test of great souls. This greatness is innate and creates a great soul. With such a spirit, he has the strength to face this test. He can pass this test to improve his realm.”

Sinan Karataş said, “This is a great exhibition. There is always persecution in China.” His wife Inci Karatas said, “I hope Falun Dafa practitioners in China have freedom soon. I support your exposing the persecution. I wish you all the best.”

Human Beings Need Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance

Kazim

Kazim said, “I think this exhibition is very meaningful. I did not plan to come here. When I saw the exhibition, I took a promotional poster and sent it to my brother. When I read the captions to these works, I was stunned. I feel from my heart that human beings need Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. I feel very happy and pleased.”

Barış

Barış, a doctor who is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology, said, “Information about this persecution needs to be heard. Information that is suppressed in an isolated authoritarian society needs to get out. The whole world needs to realize this. People have to realize that, at the end of the day, it’s the people who suffer. Whatever his faith, he is human. There is no reason for anyone to suffer like this.”

Barış said he was impressed with the depiction of the brutality of the persecution and the practitioners’ peacefulness when they faced it.

Asım Doğan, a researcher and author

Asım Doğan lived in China for 20 years, and is studying China issues. He told practitioners, “These paintings have profound meanings. I wish you success. Thank you.”

Background: What Is Falun Dafa and Why Is the CCP Persecuting It?

Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China, in 1992. The spiritual discipline is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Its teachings are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Millions of people who have embraced the teachings and exercises have experienced improved health and well-being.

Jiang Zemin, former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), perceived the spiritual discipline’s growing popularity as a threat to the CCP’s atheistic ideology. On July 20, 1999, he issued an order to eradicate the practice.

Under Jiang’s personal direction, the CCP established the 610 Office, an extralegal security organization that has the power to override the police and judicial systems. Its sole function is to carry out the persecution of Falun Dafa.

Minghui.org has confirmed the deaths of thousands of practitioners as a result of the persecution over the past 24 years. However, the actual number is believed to be much higher, due to the difficulty in getting information out of China. Countless practitioners have been imprisoned and tortured for their faith.

There is concrete evidence that the CCP sanctions the harvesting of organs from detained practitioners, who are murdered to supply China’s organ transplant industry.