Shen Yun Performing Arts successfully closed the curtain on two shows at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Canada in April. The company tours with a stated mission: to revive 5,000 years of China’s divinely inspired culture from before communism. Canadian lawmakers expressed their gratitude and issued congratulatory letters to the artists.
Dan Muys, a member of parliament from Flamborough–Glanbrook, said: “that’s encouraging to see that this art form, again, where thousands of years of history has not only been saved from disappearing, but has flourished actually. And interesting to hear the story of the company being based in New York and now growing to eight companies. And that really is a testament to the strong response from audiences.”
“Shen Yun is a great opportunity and [is] doing a great job of telling the history of Chinese culture before communism. And it’s something that the whole world needs not to forget. And unfortunately, the Chinese Communist Party would like people to forget. And that would be a terrible thing. So Shen Yun is doing a fantastic job of keeping Chinese history alive and well,” said Jack MacLaren, a former member of the provincial parliament.
Churence Rogers, a member of parliament from Bonavist–Burin–Trinity, said: “it is truly important that we all like to preserve the tradition that we are associated with. And certainly this group is portraying the traditional parts of China and stories about Chinese culture and historic events.”
Inspired by China’s rich heritage, Shen Yun presents stories from ancient legends and folk tales along with true stories regarding communist China’s persecution of faith groups such as Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, a spiritual practice based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.
Mr. Muys said: “the contemporary story of Falun Dafa, and the persecution that’s going on in China, is juxtaposed with the classical dance and the thousands of years of history. And so a greater understanding of the teachings that have carried on for thousands of years, and that are unfortunately now being suppressed in China. And hopefully, there’ll be a day in the future, without the Chinese Communist Party, when that is allowed to continue to flourish.”
Mr. MacLaren said: “the traditional values of truth, compassion and tolerance, that are the foundation of Falun Gong, are not going to apply Just to Chinese culture, or the Chinese country, or Chinese people. Those are wonderful values anywhere in the world. And if China could go back to being what it used to be, before 1949, before communism, it would be a strong, spiritually healthy country with great values.”
Found at the heart of Chinese culture is a deeply rooted belief in spirituality. These values and traditions play a central part in Shen Yun’s storytelling through classical dance and music.
“It was all beautiful and ethereal. But what really spoke to me was, I did not know about the history of thinking that we came from the Divine. And seeing that the people were going back there, it was very interesting,” said Marilyn Gladu, a member of parliament from Sarnia–Lambton.
“And I think all of these storylines, about redemption and the return of a Creator, make for many people, a place of hope. It’s a place of inspiration. It’s a place of being encouraged to continue to face very difficult times,” said the Honorable Marilou McPhedran, a Canadian Senator.
Shen Yun will next perform at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida on May 8 through 11.
NTD News, Ottawa, Canada
