Audience members offered high praise for Shen Yun Performing Arts during their performances in Chiayi, Taiwan, on April 8 and 9. Local officials presented flower baskets to congratulate the performers. Shen Yun's mission is to rekindle China’s 5,000-year-old rich heritage.
“[Shen Yun] conveys a concept of kindness and tolerance, this also includes teachings about people to be good,” said Zhangliang Weng, the Chiayi County mayor. “[Shen Yun] takes many well-known stories and brings them to life through dance performances that rely entirely on body movements, making them easy for both adults and children to understand. I think the artists have gone through a very rigorous training to be able to perform at such a level of performance.”
“It's kind of amazing because I think the actors and the costumes and the music are already very powerful. And then to add the technology, I think it's really interesting. It's very well coordinated, when everyone jumped into the [3D] screen. The timing was done very well, it's very impactful,” said Yu-Li Hsu, the Chiayi County HR Development Institute director.
“I was very moved. I think the performers have very solid basic skills. They know where to stretch their hands and where to lift their feet. They can also freeze the movements. I think it is not easy,” said Pinrui Wu, the Puzi mayor. “In the whole dance, there are no flaws. They turn in circles, tumble and roll and do all kinds of things. I think they are all great.”
Ancient Chinese people believed their culture and values to be gifts from the divine. Shen Yun brings this traditional culture to life through classical dance and music, with a focus on reviving the values and stories from a time before communism. Since the Communist Party took power in China in 1949, the regime has sought to break Chinese society’s belief in the divine.
“After watching it, I feel very happy. The Shen Yun program itself is an exposition of Chinese culture. We hope that each of us can bring out the goodness in our hearts,” said David Fu, a Chiayi City councilman. “I hope [Shen Yun] will continue to pass on this traditional Chinese dance technique and skills and let Chinese culture last forever.”
“The presentation of the entire scene, including the movements of the dancers and the rhythm of the music, is the best Chinese classical dance performance I have ever seen,” said Boqing Wang, the director of the Chiayi Performing Arts Center. “Thank you, Shen Yun, for bringing different shows every year. I believe Shen Yun can bring this power of kindness, and the power of positivity to the whole world.”
Mr. Wang said he believes kindness is what the Chinese people need: “The Chinese people also need the power of kindness. If there is a chance, I hope Shen Yun can be seen anywhere in the world.”
“I encourage everyone to come and see more Shen Yun performances,” Ms. Wu said. “[Shen Yun] also tells us that there is a cycle of goodness, that good deeds will be rewarded in the end.”
Shen Yun will be performing in Daegu, South Korea, from May 1 through 3.
NTD News, Chiayi, Taiwan
