“The performance is great. The costumes are beautiful, and the actors, the artists, are just exquisite. They are just absolutely perfect in their execution,” said Eldon Monk, a retired doctor.
Maria Saravia, a retired case worker with Texas Health and Human Services, said, “The way that they dance, the performance, their ability, everything, the colorfulness, everything is amazing. I really, really, really loved the show.”
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive 5,000 years of traditional culture from China before communism—a culture that the Chinese regime has been seeking to destroy since taking power in 1949.
“Between that and the program, we have a very good understanding of what’s going on on stage and what has happened and is happening in China,” Mr. Monk said. “I think it’s very, very good, very valuable, that we not only portray that side of it, not only to the adults, but to the children as well, so that as they grow, they can hopefully bridge that gap between our freedoms and China’s restrictions.”
“It’s sad to hear this is happening still in China. I’m very glad they bring it to us so we can see it,” said Joseph Ruiz, a retired company director. “They’re bringing new cultural experiences to us in their own time, and having a hard time themselves, and bringing this to us. I think that’s amazing for them to do that.”
Ms. Saravia said, “Persecution should stop, so with this, hopefully everybody can express themselves and just bring some more peace into our world. That’s what we need right now. And the way that they’re expressing it, through dancing in their performance.”
“China needs that as well,” she added.
Ms. Saravia said, “I think it’s something that they continue fighting for it because they should show their culture and they should fight for their beliefs and the theme, the salvation, the spiritual cultures. I think it’s something that is really inspiring to us, and something that I didn’t really expect it. It’s really something that was surprising to me today.”
Mr. Monk said, “Thank you for all of your dedication and for all of your hard work. You are exquisite in what you do.”
