PRAGUE—On the evening of May 2, 2025, the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts delivered a performance at the Prague Congress Centre in the Czech Republic, captivating the audience with a breathtaking display of traditional Chinese culture. The performance was met with continuous enthusiastic applause, culminating in three curtain calls for the performers.
Renáta Pavoučková, senior advisor at the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “I will definitely come back to watch [Shen Yun] next year. As the lady host said, it’s a completely new program every year. So, it’s truly captivating!”
Mrs. Pavoučková, who previously served as a senior official in the Chief Accounting Department of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as editor-in-chief of the Czech Ministry of Finance’s website, attended the performance with her family.
Her husband, Petr Pavouček, a seasoned CEO and owner of an IT company, shared her feelings about the performance. “The dances are incredibly captivating and unforgettable,” he said.
Their son, Dominik Pavouček, a professional golfer and the overall champion of the Czech PGA Tour in the 2022 season, attended with his girlfriend.
The family was deeply moved by the performance, which showcased the richness of pre-communist orthodox Chinese culture.
Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company, with a mission to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.
Mrs. Pavoučková was particularly touched by specific elements of the show, “especially the classical Chinese women’s dance and the Tibetan dance, which profoundly touched me.”
She also enjoyed the music, noting that “the traditional music (of Shen Yun) brings tranquility, reflection, and mindfulness.”
Mr. Pavouček highlighted the technical and artistic brilliance of the performance.
“The dance drama about the poet Li Bai left a deep impression on us. We also loved the erhu performance and the ethereal dance movements. The sound of the erhu truly allowed us to feel the charm of Chinese culture. ”
The final scene, which depicts the Creator saving humanity from peril, touched Mr. Pavouček, who described it as “breathtaking!”
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive authentic traditional Chinese culture, conveying the spiritual essence of divine culture through its performances.Mrs. Pavoučková resonated with this vision. “To me, this performance originates from the divine and ultimately returns to it. The dances convey the message that we are children of the divine and will ultimately return to the embrace of the divine. Throughout this journey, [Shen Yun] showcases the beauty and stories of life, weaving them together in a perfect way.”
As an athlete, Mr. Dominik Pavouček was drawn to the precision and grace of the classical Chinese dance. “The dances are very graceful,” he said, adding that the subtlety in some of the dances had been wonderful.
Reflecting on the cultural significance, he said, “It’s a magnificent culture. Unfortunately, in some places today, such traditions are often not allowed to continue.”
The Shen Yun artists, who practice Falun Dafa and live by the principles of truth, compassion, and forbearance, embody traditional values through their performances.
Mr. Dominik Pavouček expressed admiration for their dedication. “This culture is beautiful. In Europe, we primarily believe in one God, while [in Chinese culture] there are more deities, which is also depicted in the dance dramas. When every movement is imbued with a certain divinity, it is truly moving.”
The Pavouček family extended heartfelt praise and blessings to the Shen Yun artists.
Mrs. Pavoučková encouraged them, saying, “I want to encourage them to continue this endeavor and persist in their artistic pursuit.”
Mr. Pavoučková added, “They are incredible! Wishing them success!”
Mr. Dominik Pavouček offered sincere wishes: “I wish them good luck. If they can return to their homeland, I hope they can showcase their true talents and remain steadfast in their culture and traditions.”
