Paris Theatergoer Delighted by Shen Yun's Connection Between 'Western and Eastern Civilizations'

NTD Newsroom
Shen Yun
An enthusiastic audience praised Shen Yun Performing Arts during their performance at the Paris Congress Centre in Paris, France, on May 7. Many were captivated by the show’s representation of traditional Chinese culture, finding a resonance between Eastern and Western civilizations.

“It's particularly rich in spectacle and emotions that resonate with Chinese culture, which I find to be quite profound,” said Denis Jacques, the regional general delegate for the Union of Metallurgy Industries.

“The show evokes the story of the Good Samaritan, [with values of selflessness and love for others as one's own] that’s universally recognized in both Western and Eastern civilizations,” said Gilles-Guy de Salins, the founder of a wealth management company and real estate company.

“Magnificent! The precision is absolute, with beautiful dances that reflect everything one might think about China and the quality of gymnastics and dance,” said Bruno Chambrillon, a communications CEO.

“The artistic level is exceptionally high, both for the ladies and the gentlemen. When you see the dance steps and also the movements, I think these are really of a very high standard,” said Jacques.

“It was very traditional, I would say, Chinese, yet the music is very clear and very pleasant to Western ears, making for a perfect blend,” said Gilles-Guy de Salins.

“What a magnificent feeling! An unforgettable moment. Thank you very much. The combination of the live performance and the images behind, along with their constant connection, was of high quality and allowed us to truly project ourselves into the skies and the divine,” said Chambrillon.

“There is definitely a blend of reality and also of spiritual elements. We sense the show’s magic in every scene and every moment, not only through the artists, but also through the theatrical effects that are linked to the sets. It’s indeed magical,” said Jacques.

Gilles-Guy de Salins said, “The show's reference to the Creator resonates deeply with Christians like us, a belief shared by ancient civilizations, both Chinese and Western.”

Shen Yun’s mission is to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture and values, which ancient Chinese people believed were inspired by the divine. Shen Yun showcases those values through a display of classical Chinese dance and music.

Chambrillon said: “I believe the show is very important. In France, we are quite sensitive to the connection with religion, as we are a country with a religious tradition.”

“There’s a blend of elements, at times a hint of malice, but very quickly, it returns to a divine connection that brings goodness. And that’s beautifully demonstrated through the performers as well,” said Jacques.

Chambrillon said: “I think this type of performance can broaden many people's perspectives and offer a different approach to China, particularly regarding the Chinese artistic world that we don't always see in this light.”

Jacques said, “I believe [Shen Yun] offers rich lessons, as this culture is very ancient, and we still need it today in our modern world, which I think needs it even more than ever.”
NTD News, Paris, France

NTD is a media sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, covering audience reactions since 2006.