FRANKFURT, Germany—Art collector Ms. Sibylle Horl, director of Horl Jewelery, attended the Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company’s closing show at the Jahrhunderthalle in Frankfurt am Main on the evening of March 31.
Shen Yun was established in New York in 2006 by a group of overseas Chinese artists to restore and revive the 5,000 years of divinely-inspired Chinese culture that had been all but lost after more than 60 years of communist rule in China.
“I found the show very informative,” said Ms. Horl. “I didn’t know that the artists are Chinese living in exile in New York.
“What was quite fascinating is that in ancient China, philosophy and religion played a major role in society, and not only for the elite of China, but also for the everyday folk.
“My impression developed from the expression of the dance and the different stories. It helped me toss aside my thoughts of China because of the present regime and see China in a different light,” she added.
Ms. Horl said she also enjoyed Shen Yun’s animated backdrops that “transport the audience to another world,” according to the company’s website.
“Everything, the backdrop, the dance and the music will stay in my mind. It is truly a different culture. It is not easy for a European to immerse oneself into what was seen on stage,” Ms. Horl said.
“I must admit I came here with a little background of Chinese culture because I collect Chinese art pieces from the past. What surprised me was that so much could be transported to modern times.”
“All-in-all, it was fantastic and very informative. I experienced a wonderful evening. This show lets me hope for a better future for China.”
“One gets a deep impression of the Chinese culture, because of the dancers, who work so hard, and the musicians. It was really interesting.”
Ms. Horl also enjoyed the Shen Yun Orchestra, at first not realizing that it was a combination of classical Western and traditional Chinese instruments. “It was wonderful to hear,” she said.
Reporting by Alexander M. Hamrle
Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world, with a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company will next perform at The London Coliseum, April 12-15.
For more information visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
