BUENOS AIRES—On April 23, 2025, Yamil Santoro and his girlfriend, Virginia Putignano, attended the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at the Teatro Ópera in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Mr. Santoro, a legislator in the Buenos Aires City Legislature and executive director of the anti-corruption Fundación Apolo, is also a co-founder of Mejorar, a liberal political party now part of the Republicanos Unidos coalition.
Reflecting on the experience, Mr. Santoro said: “The performance was deeply moving, and I learned more about traditional Chinese culture.”
He was shocked by the portrayal of contemporary China’s persecution of faith: “I was outraged to see how a communist regime persecutes faith and suppresses spiritual cultural heritage.”
Mr. Santoro admired the artists’ courage and thanked them for bringing the truth to light: “I want to congratulate them for delivering such an outstanding performance. Thank you for your efforts.”
He added, “I feel so proud to witness this performance, and I truly loved it.”
The pure and beautiful performance left Ms. Putignano in awe: “The performance was absolutely stunning. All the dancers, music, and stage design were breathtaking. I strongly recommend everyone see it—it far exceeded my expectations.”
Ms. Putignano viewed the performance as more than an artistic feast; it stirred the soul: “The artists’ mission and the values they convey touch the audience’s hearts. Beyond the exquisite dance and masterful technique, they spread values that strive for a better society.”
She elaborated that these values—truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance—guide the artists’ actions: “Additionally, I felt their perseverance and effort, as their dances displayed an impressive level of synchronisation.”
Ms. Putignano described herself as a devoted Shen Yun fan, noting that each performance offers a new experience: “I just returned from Cologne five days ago, but the insights I gained there [watching Shen Yun] were completely different from today.”
Traditional Chinese culture is a divine culture, and Ms. Putignano felt the performance conveyed many divine messages, creating a connection: “I felt this connection because I’m very sensitive.”
Regarding Shen Yun’s inability to perform in China, Ms. Putignano said: “This is terribly wrong. Art is a form of communication, and communication must be open to the world.”
