“The show was astounding. It was beautiful,” said Mr. Ficocelli. “It was heartbreaking at times to see what you hear about, but really don’t always process: the oppression of the communist government in China and communism in general. To see the beauty of the ancient aspects of Chinese culture made me want to know more about that ancient history and the ancient culture of China that has such beauty, such a moral grounding, such an intent to blend the dignity of the human with the art and for the glory of the Creator. That was amazing to see.”
Based in New York, Shen Yun was founded in 2006 by leading Chinese artists who fled the oppressive communist regime in China. Their mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture through classical Chinese dance and music. According to the Shen Yun website, China was once known as the “Land of the Divine,” and its culture was greatly influenced by the spiritual teachings from Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, yet these beliefs were all abolished by the atheist communist party that took power in 1949. The audience learns from the emcees during the performance that Shen Yun cannot be seen in China today.
Mrs. Ficocelli said that she and her husband knew about China’s oppressive government prior to seeing the performance and expressed their sympathy for the Chinese people.
Mrs. Ficocelli added that suppression was not something exclusive to China. “This whole being suppressed—we’re having this in our own country. We’re not far behind China in this and I hope it’s a wakeup call to Americans in particular, but the whole world, because we’re all going down this path.”
Shen Yun’s program is made up of a series of dance vignettes. The opening piece depicts divine beings who follow the Creator to descend from the heavens to the Earth and establish Chinese civilization. The concept of a Creator resonated deeply with the Ficocellis.
“We do come from one Creator, who has a plan for our lives and it’s not how we’re living currently,” said Mrs. Ficocelli. “There is a beautiful divine heaven awaiting us and a call to turn our lives back to that direction and to make that our goal for our lives here on earth.”
“The message for us was a powerful spiritual message and it was refreshing to see that,” added Mrs. Ficocelli. “Even in other mainstream entertainment, you don’t see those messages and they (Shen Yun) were very bold in what they proclaimed on that stage today.”
The Ficocellis also wished to express their respect for Shen Yun’s artistic director, D.F.
“I want to thank him for the effort and all the hard work of all these people,” said Mrs. Ficocelli. “You know that they are extreme professionals. They are dedicated. They are committed. You can tell they believe in what they’re doing up on that stage. It’s not just an act for them. It’s their life. It’s their core belief and that comes through, so I definitely congratulate and encourage the director to bring it out. Bring it to the world because this is the time. We need to hear it now.”
Mrs. Ficocelli had a message she wished to be passed on to the dancers as well. “Thank them for the performance. I can’t imagine, I’m sure their whole lives are dedicated to performance and to study this ancient Chinese dance and so I am just grateful that they are doing this. They really touched my heart deeply tonight.”
