(Minghui.org) The Art of Zhen Shan Ren (Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance) International Exhibition opened at the Marignane Media Library in France on February 8, 2025, and will run until March 29, 2025.
Several city officials and local residents attended the opening ceremony. The paintings in the exhibition deeply moved visitors, with some moved to tears. Through the exhibition, people learned about Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, and the severe persecution in China.
Marignane is a town in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in France. The Marseille-Provence Airport is located there.
Many visitors shared their thoughts in the guestbook. “Shocking and deeply moving!” “In a world where humanity and nations should come first, this exhibition makes people reflect on the horrifying and unacceptable persecution.” “Spirit is greater than material matter!” “A powerful exhibition that cries out against an unbearable truth!”
It Reminds Me of the Early Christians Persecuted by European Empires
Gérard Terrier, deputy mayor and head of Marignane’s cultural department, spoke at the opening ceremony. He said, “When we look at these paintings, it feels like seeing the early Christians persecuted by the European empires. History is repeating itself. We are in such a time. Ugly politics seeks to control people’s minds. They do not improve things, but just want to gain and maintain power. Even today, history continues to teach us these lessons.”
“History also tells us that the spirit is more powerful than material things. Many people who had faith have proven this. Faith should go beyond the limits of politics and materialism. Yet, those suffering under the 610 Office’s torture are still in pain.”
Seeing the depictions of torture, Gérard Terrier was deeply shaken. He said, “Unfortunately, human history is filled with suffering. But beyond that, there must be a powerful belief that sustains them. I believe this belief will ultimately prevail.”
The Persecution Is Not Acceptable
Valérie Garino, vice president of the Bouches-du-Rhône Departmental Council and deputy mayor of Caril-aux-Rouets, was deeply moved by the exhibition. She said, “As we explore this exhibition, we gradually uncover its meaning. The layout is very effective. When I stepped into the room and saw the paintings depicting torture, I felt that such things are simply unbearable. The persecution should not be happening.”
The painting Homeless left a lasting impression on her. “That little girl became homeless after losing her parents. She stood alone at the doorstep, but the door was sealed and she couldn’t go home. Through her eyes, I could feel so many emotions.”
Ms. Garino praised the artists, “I must congratulate those who created these paintings. It’s not easy to paint something like this. Reaching this level, psychologically and morally, is incredibly challenging. What they have achieved is remarkable.”
She also shared her intention to promote the exhibition on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. She said, “This exhibition is important for everyone to see.”
Exchanging and Understanding Asian Philosophy is Meaningful and Inspiring
Claude Biolley, former deputy mayor of Marignane and a helicopter engineer, also attended the opening ceremony. He remarked, “These paintings are truly beautiful, with many outstanding works.”
“These artworks remind us that beyond the physical world, there is also spirit. Asia has philosophies that differ from ours, and engaging with and understanding them is always meaningful. It can inspire us.”
The exhibition highlights the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. “To be honest, in the 21st century, seeing this is truly tragic. I believe exhibitions like this are very important because they help people in Marignane learn the truth. We don’t see this on television. It’s simply not talked about,” Mr. Biolley said.
“With the rise of violence, we realize the need to return to traditional values. This not only helps us live better together but also allows each person to reconnect with themselves and reflect on a deeper, spiritual level,” he said.
Truthfulness Is a Core Value That Must Be Defended in Our Civilisation
Jaques Olivier Martin, head of Marignane’s cultural department, said, “This is a very meaningful exhibition.”
“It introduces us to an Eastern practice that Europeans have lost touch with over the centuries. We are rediscovering certain traditions, especially the connection between body and spirit. All of this is coming back into our awareness.”
Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are the core principles of Falun Gong. He noted, “In France, people are becoming less patient as the country faces crises, even falling into deep decline. We hope to see change and improvement. As for ‘Truthfulness,’ it is a fundamental element throughout history. We see that in many countries, not just China, lies exist in various forms. In the West, deception also exists but in more subtle ways. That’s why I believe Truthfulness is a core value that must be defended in our civilisation.”
The Exhibition Reflected the Spirit of Talented Chinese Artists
Kader Gheziel, the events director at the media library, described the exhibition as “a reflection of the spirit of Chinese artists. They are incredibly talented. This is a truly beautiful exhibition.”
He also noted that the exhibition “powerfully conveys the suffering of some people in China [Falun Gong practitioners], as well as the pain of the artists themselves. They are exiles, seeking to express their emotions through their work. This is something to be admired. It is a testament to beauty.”
Kindness is a Value We Should Nurture
Patrick Malatrait, a painter, said, “Each painting has its own unique style. I was quite shocked. It really touched my heart.”
Before attending the exhibition, he did not know about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. He was shocked by the depictions of torture, which reminded him of World War II.
“This is a history that keeps repeating itself,” he said. “As I left the exhibition, I asked myself: What can I do personally to stop this? That’s the question I’m left with. I signed the petition to call for an end to the persecution. I will talk about this with those around me. I will invite friends to see this exhibition—it really moved me. So many emotions are running through me.”
He added, “Kindness is important. If we could be more kind, the world would be a much better place. Kindness is a value we should nurture more.”
The Exhibition Conveys a Powerful and Inspiring Message
Lydia Guilhot works in the Environmental Services Department of Marignane City Hall. The exhibition moved her to tears. “This experience was truly meaningful. Many of the works are filled with love, which makes us feel their importance. It urged us to look beyond the pursuit and build connections with each other. From these paintings, we can see all the symbols of peace and traditional Chinese culture. This reminded us of the similarities between religions. It’s a beautiful message that reminds us we are all striving for open consciousness, and we are indeed connected.”
Lydia said, “The persecution depicted in the exhibition represents the pain of a nation, but it’s not limited to that. We can still weave these together, and sadly, we are still in this dynamic today, beyond the borders of China.”
One painting, which depicted a child that had been tortured, left a deep impression on Lydia. “It’s so cruel.” She said that this almost made her lose hope in humanity. “However,” she added, “[In one painting] there is a lotus flower bed. They grow in places that once experienced pain. It’s a beautiful message.”
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