Shen Yun Performing Arts unveiled 5,000 years of history at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto, Canada on April 2. Government officials marveled at the company’s use of classical Chinese dance and music to rouse China’s culture from before communism.
“It’s not just the stories and the histories, as I say it’s the dancing, the music, and the color, it’s fascinating and really quite educational as well. So I’d recommend it to anybody,” said Andrew Keyes, councilor for the city of Markham.
“Every story in every scene is very thoughtful, including the design of the stage and costumes. It especially reminds us of the history of the past, the joys and sorrows. It’s presented to everyone in a very humorous way and with artistic beauty. I feel it is really great,” said Jin-Ling Chen, director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Toronto, Canada.
Shen Yun’s performances draw inspiration from China’s rich civilization, reviving the belief in spirituality, a value intrinsic to traditional Chinese culture.
“Study every culture, every religion, every country, there is that strong connection to the Divine, the Creator, whatever you call it, but that power that sustains the universe in the world. So this is an important part of a very rich, deep Chinese history and culture, a spiritual culture that connects the community and the people with everyone in the world,” said Parthi Kandavel, councilor for Scarborough Southwest.
“From the very beginning, the first scene follows the Great Enlightened One to save all sentient beings. This part really breaks the theme from the beginning, highlighting that Shen Yun itself has an artistic form of communication. It is very important to purify people’s hearts and bring them back to their original point,” said Hong Song-Hui, deputy director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Toronto, Canada.
Government officials resonated with the universal values portrayed in the performance.
“Those are common human values, compassion, forbearance, kindness, humility, respect. Those belong to all people, all countries. And that’s what brings us together. … So for Shen Yun and the production team to highlight that and bring out what’s common to all of us across the world, whether in Europe, Africa, India, China, or the West, it brings us together,” said Mr. Kandavel.
“When a person embraces the world with kindness, he will get many, many people, regardless of race or religion. They have a common resonance, and this resonance actually comes from the kindness in people’s hearts. What we talk about is Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance,” added Houqiang Yu, executive chairman of the Canadian Committee of the Democratic Party of China.
“We have seen Shen Yun come to all the world. Go everywhere to spread this clear current, this force of good, and they are actually messengers of light. So I think we should continue to promote this part so that more people know about Shen Yun. One is to spread this truth, goodness and beauty and spread it out,” said Mr. Hong.
“I think we all need something to hope, we need more hope. I think there’s a lot of despair in the world today. And something like this. And this kind of thinking certainly gives an awful lot of people an awful lot of hope,” said Mr. Keyes.
Shen Yun will next perform at the Théâtre Maisonneuve in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from April 17th to 21st.
NTD News, Toronto, Canada
