On Jan. 4, world-renowned classical Chinese dance company Shen Yun Performing Arts staged two more sold-out shows in Aix-en-Provence, a historic town in France. During the holiday season, many audience members gifted tickets to their parents, underscoring Shen Yun’s rising popularity as a beloved family tradition.
Among them is Sébastien Puggioni, regional commercial manager of Groupe Waterair, who offered tickets to the show as a birthday gift to his mother. He said: “The show makes me feel serenity, wonder, contemplation, and a good deal of energy as well. Truly beautiful.”
His mother, Catherine Puggioni, said: “I was very moved because it’s really beautiful.”
“It’s a birthday gift [for my mom],” said Mr. Puggioni, evidently rejoicing to see the mother contented.
Cyril d’Everlange, managing director of Auditium who hails from the French noble family of d’Everlange, gifted tickets to the show to his father. “I loved the performance because it is committed to a mission and very beautiful as well,” he said.
His father, Bernard d’Everlange, said: “You guys are amazing! It’s rare to see a performance like this. I’ve never seen anything like it before and yet I’m already at an advanced age. And I believe I won’t witness anything like it again in my lifetime.”
Isabelle Rundstadler, human resources manager of Inetum, another audience member who attended the show, said: “It’s surprising, it’s magical, it’s beautiful and it’s instructive too. Really, it’s touching. It’s full of emotion. There’s a lot of professionalism, a lot of agility … There’s a beautiful energy, a very, very beautiful energy that emanates from this movement. You can feel that all the participants are committed and that they’re doing it from the heart too.”
Through the masterful storytelling of dance and music, Shen Yun transports theatergoers to “China before communism,” bringing to life the beauty of lost traditions.
“This is superb. Very beautiful costumes, very interesting to see ancient China, as we don’t see it in China today,” said Mr. Puggioni.
“We feel completely, we feel very well the message that you want to get across. Here we are, on the return of China as we loved it before,” said Cyril d’Everlange.
“Traditions are always valuable to preserve, that’s true, but we rarely get the chance to see them. Here, we truly witness them. Thank you again. Thank you,” said Bernard d’Everlange.
“And for me, what’s great is that the show not only brings forth tradition, showcases Chinese tradition, but also demonstrates kindness to today’s China, and to all those who lack the strength to fight for the vision of China that you present. It inspires and gives courage, I believe, to all those who might fight for that vision,” said Cyril d’Everlange.
For French audiences in Aix-en-provence, Shen Yun has become a beloved family gift this holiday season.
“I’m dreaming. It’s wonderful. I thank my son above all. And I thank you too,
because thanks to you today, I’ve had a wonderful day. Thank you very much,” said Catherine Puggioni.
“Transported into another world, almost into a dream. You gave us a dream,” said Bernard d’Everlange.
“I feel energized. I’m already eager to see the next show, in Lyon perhaps, since I’m from Lyon,” said Cyril d’Everlange with a smile.
NTD News, Aix-en-Provence, France
NTD News is a proud media sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts.
