On the evening of March 9, Shen Yun Performing Arts premiered at the Teatro Auditorio in San Lorenzo de El Escorial in Spain. Audience members said that the performance was unique and that watching Shen Yun brought them into a state of peace and tranquility.
“I think it’s a wonderful show, fascinating. It delves into the transcendental values that we are losing in Europe and especially in Spain,” said Elena Berberana, a journalist.
Javier Sánchez de Toro, the CEO of Broadcast Rent, said that Shen Yun is “Exceptional, a real marvel. It’s like a reset. You come in here and it’s as if they reset you and take you to a different place. You enter a space where, for a few moments, it takes you to a state of incredible peace, of tranquility and harmony. Very impressive.”
Pedro Fernández Barbadillo, a journalist and a writer, said that he “liked it a lot. This show has allowed us to get a little closer to the culture of the Chinese people, which is one of the most important cultures in the world.”
Shen Yun Performing Arts was established in 2006 and is based in New York. It’s made up of eight individual touring companies, which travel the globe simultaneously. Their mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture, which was almost destroyed after the communist regime took power in China in 1949.
Mr. Barbadillo said, “Because we cannot forget what is happening in China, especially in the West. Some people are taking the CCP as an example, an example of professionalism and technocracy, while the reality is completely the opposite. Behind that facade of large skyscrapers, enormous buildings, and technology is a system of oppression, and this performance exposed it all.”
“They have said that in their country [Shen Yun] could not be performed, and the truth is that I think it’s regrettable, because I think it should be a decision made by the viewer,” said Mr. Sánchez de Toro. “The message we all heard about is what life is really like in China, the political controls that exist, and I am struck by the way [Shen Yun] transmits it and tells [that message].”
Ms. Berberana added, “It’s very interesting to see such a courageous denunciation against the communist oppression of the Chinese regime. Falun Dafa, which cannot be practiced [in China], sets a very clear example of [that oppression]. What they are denouncing, is that [the CCP is] trafficking organs from them, which is really shocking. But regardless of this, which has been really chilling to see, it shows how brave these artists, these musicians, these dancers are.”
Shen Yun artists use classical Chinese dance to portray different stories and legends from China’s 5,000 years of civilization. Accompanied by a live symphony orchestra, the result is what some theatergoers called “total relaxation.”
Mr. Sánchez de Toro said, “they [demonstrate] the highest level of excellence that a group of people working in harmony can achieve. It provokes a sense of order, of harmony, of tranquility that lowers your heart rate and relaxes you. [Shen Yun] is like therapy that leaves you in a state of total relaxation and makes you absolutely forget all your daily problems.”
Mr. Barbadillo said, “I would tell you to take the opportunity to see this show because it will bring you closer to a little-known culture, a very important culture.”
Ms. Berberana added, “It’s spectacularly beautiful, it’s incredibly perfectionist. I think the artists are at a world-class level and you can see that. I’m fascinated by how they dance, the courage they have on stage. And the colors, the dresses, the Chinese tradition, all of what Mao Zedong destroyed in his time. I think it’s incredible that it flourishes and can be seen here in the West.”
Shen Yun has a total of five performances scheduled for San Lorenzo de El Escorial. From there, the company heads to Seville.
NTD News, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain
