ADELAIDE, Australia—Australian Member of Parliament Erin Thompson said she learned more about authentic Chinese culture after watching Shen Yun’s International company perform at Adelaide’s Festival Theater on May 13.
“We’re definitely learning a lot and I think it’s making us want to ask more questions … and find out more about this particular part of the Chinese culture that we’ve only really just discovered,” Thompson said.
“I think there’s plenty of Australians and other people all around the world that aren’t aware of this part of Chinese culture so it’s really important that we know what’s going on and we can provide some support if necessary.”
Also in attendance was Tammy Franks, Parliamentary leader of the Greens in South Australia.
Franks said China’s authentic culture was much more than what the contemporary Chinese communist regime depicts it to be.
“I love to see the Chinese culture. It’s wonderful that this is shared around the world and certainly I appreciate the artistry as well as the real culture.”
Ancient China was once known as the “Land of the Divine,” and it was believed that the traditional culture of China was brought down from the heavens.
This was reflected in music, medicine, calligraphy, clothing, language, and much more.
But this glorious culture was almost lost under communism.
“It is a very sad situation when we see that oppressed in various ways and people’s history denied. And I know that there’s been some absolute atrocities, but what a wonderful way to celebrate culture … with the arts today,” Franks added.
One particular piece points to modern China where people are persecuted for their faith—namely, the persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in China.
“To actually take contemporary events and tell them through the lens of traditional Chinese dance and culture is very powerful,” Damian Wyld, councillor of Tea Tree Gully, South Australia, said after watching Shen Yun in Adelaide on May 14.
“It shows very barefaced the facts of this terrible persecution, which is continuing to occur in China, and helping the world to understand what is happening there, and what they can do about it,” Wyld added.
NTD news, Adelaide, Australia
