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Myran Shulgan, a lawyer, saw Shen Yun with his wife, Nancy. (Charlie Lu/The Epoch Times)
DETROIT—Shen Yun Performing Arts brought traditional Chinese culture to the Detroit Opera House this Saturday night, displaying ancient traditions in a modern world.
Myran Shulgan, a lawyer, saw the performance with his wife, Nancy, and associate Robert Catsman, a small business owner in the hospitality industry.
“I thought it was wonderful. The costumes were wonderful, and the music is good,” Mr. Shulgan said.
Shen Yun seeks to revive the 5,000-year-old Chinese culture through dance and music, according to the company’s website. Classical Chinese dance is the main medium of expression, but the performance also includes costuming, a unique orchestra, and an interactive digital backdrop.
Just the grace and beauty of Shen Yun’s portrayal of Chinese culture impressed Mrs. Shulgan. There is “just so much culture,” she said.
Mrs. Shulgan noted that Shen Yun touched upon the current human rights situation in China, where practitioners of Falun Dafa, a meditation practice, have been persecuted for the past 12 years. “I thought it was a really interesting scene to bring us up to the present,” she said.
“I think part of the beauty of it is how ancient the culture is compared to our culture. It’s just so graceful and delicate—it’s beautiful.”
The company’s website says that the creators of Shen Yun have drawn upon the vast history of Chinese civilization. The values of honor, propriety, benevolence, wisdom, and sincerity are displayed throughout the performance.
Mrs. Shuglan said she loved the the backdrop and how the dancers disappear into it, a display of hi-tech technology used in classical performances. The animated backdrops are colorful and display mountaintops, forests, and historical scenes.
Mr. Catsman said he thought the overall performance was lovely and noted how delicate the dancers and enjoyed the richness of the costumes the performers were wearing.
Classical Chinese dance is considered possibly the most comprehensive system in the world and requires extensive training to master, the company’s website states. The dance is one of the oldest in the world and has established techniques for jumping, tumbling, movements, and postures.
Reporting by Charlie Lu and Jack Phillips.
Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, tours the world on a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. The International Company, one of Shen Yun’s three equally large companies, will next perform in Kansas Tuesday, Jan. 31.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts.
