NEW YORK—After watching Shen Yun Performing Arts on Saturday afternoon at the David H. Koch Theater, Andrew Permison had a strong feeling of compassion.
“It has great energy—amazing energy. I can’t say enough good things about it. It’s that good,” said Mr. Permison. “You go away just feeling so positive!”
Mr. Permison, who is retired, volunteers as a member of the committee that curates sponsored special art events and projects in the Millburn and Short Hills community in New Jersey. He hopes that people everywhere will see the show. “Everyone should feel the energy of the compassion and the enlightenment that comes with it,” Mr. Permison said.
Sadly, not everyone can.
Shen Yun cannot be seen in China today, where traditional culture has been nearly lost under communist rule, according to Shen Yun’s website. Yet Shen Yun, a non-profit organization, has become an international phenomenon, bringing the wonders of ancient Chinese culture to millions across the globe.
Established in New York in 2006, Shen Yun Performing Arts has a mission to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture. Its four companies perform in over 100 cities in 20 countries every year so that people from every culture can experience traditional Chinese culture.
“I think the most wonderful thing out of it is simply that it’s promoting peace,” said Mr. Permison. “I’m not Chinese, or Asian, and I totally appreciate it and also feel the energy and the positiveness of the program.”
Throughout the ages, every culture looked toward the divine for inspiration. Art was meant to uplift, bringing joy to both the people who created and who experienced it. It is this principle that drives Shen Yun performers and their art.
Perhaps this is what moves audience members like Mr. Permison and stays with them when they leave. “I’m more energized leaving than when I was when I first came in.
“Everyone should go to this performance,” he said.
Reporting by NTD Television and Dave Martin.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
