The annual Ballarat Begonia Festival commenced on 9 March 2026 with a grand parade drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. The festival, which began in 1953, showcases hundreds of begonia varieties cultivated by the local botanical garden. The Falun Dafa group, which made its debut at this event last year, was invited back to participate again.
The procession featured four distinct performance groups: a dragon dance team, practitioners demonstrating the five exercises, a fairy group carrying flowers, and a waist drum ensemble. The parade emcee enthusiastically introduced the group, noting that Falun Dafa’s core principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance represent “universal values that are especially important for today’s society.”
Sarah Chapman, a clay artist attending the festival, was struck by the variety and quality of the performances.
“The many different performance teams with such excellent costume design — it was visually stunning.”
— Sarah Chapman, Clay ArtistSarah’s mother, Renate Dennemoser, a retired fashion designer who had travelled over 400 kilometres to attend, described the overall aesthetic as “harmonious” and “very beautiful and elegant.” Her brother Kris gave the performance a “10 out of 10,” praising the group’s coordination of so many performers, costumes, and instruments.
Kate Hewlyar, a professional media photographer, captured the parade through her lens and shared her impressions.
“Full of vibrant colour and energy.”
— Kate Hewlyar, Professional Media Photographer“Absolutely fantastic.”
— Sean Hewlyar, Festival AttendeeThe parade concluded with enthusiastic applause and cheers from the audience, celebrating both the festival and the performers.
Summarised from Epoch Times (Chinese edition), March 2026.
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