RIGA, Latvia—Karīna Zālīte, head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative Office in Latvia, witnessed the excitement as people flocked to the theater to watch Shen Yun. She personally experienced the core values that Shen Yun conveys: “Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance.”
On Jan. 7, 2025, Shen Yun International Company concluded its three performances at the Dailes Theatre in Riga, the capital of Latvia, with great success. All three shows were sold out.
Through its unique artistic form and profound cultural depth, Shen Yun serves as a bridge between the past and the future, inspiring audiences and illuminating the stage with 5,000 years of Chinese culture.
Ms. Zālīte was deeply moved as she watched authentic classical Chinese dance presented with artistry and choreography. “I absolutely loved the Shen Yun performance. The first men’s dance was incredibly touching,” she said.
Throughout the performance, Ms. Zālīte was continually moved. She was especially struck by the piece depicting Falun Gong practitioners enduring persecution in China and their resilience in the face of adversity. “The stories about people being imprisoned and their fight against persecution were very emotional for me,” she said.
Shen Yun’s mission to revive China’s 5,000 years of traditional culture left a profound impression on Ms. Zālīte. “What they are doing is truly remarkable. I could see the audience was captivated. The world needs this—to revive traditional culture,” she said.
What lies at the heart of China’s 5,000-year traditional culture? Ms. Zālīte felt she had seen it vividly through the performance. “These core values—’Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance’—were clearly and beautifully portrayed. Seeing these values and emotions was amazing and deeply moving.”
She felt a personal connection to these values, adding, “Yes, I’m familiar with meditation practices and everything related to them. This inner peace is something everyone needs. Whether you call it origin, God, or another name, this is the path we all must follow.”
Ms. Zālīte hopes Shen Yun will return to Latvia and shared a message for its artists: “Please continue! I greatly admire the professionalism of the artists. Please come back here again, as all the tickets for these performances have been sold out. I think people are very interested! I’ve never seen such performances in Latvia before—it’s truly a ‘wow’ moment!”
Reporting by Mary Man, Jana Pruse contributed to this report.
