KITCHENER-WATERLOO,Canada—Shen Yun Performing Arts gave the head of the Waterloo school board, one of the largest school districts in Ontario, a lesson he won’t soon forget on Wednesday night.
“It’s a wonderful display, and it taught me a lot about the culture,” said recently re-elected Mike Ramsay after attending the classical Chinese dance and music company’s first Canadian show of the year at the Centre in the Square theatre.
“It’s very educational ... It was great.”
Shen Yun takes its inspiration from the traditions of China’s 5,000-year history, including the myths, legends, and spirituality that existed there before the current authoritarian regime came to power 60 years ago and began systematic efforts to suppress that culture. It also highlights the performing arts and heritage of China’s many diverse ethnicities.
But in addition, the New York-based company aims to revive and further those traditions, and in the process raises some of the contemporary issues shaping China today, including the suppression of Falun Dafa, a meditation practice based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.
“It was a lesson for me because I knew a little bit about Falun Dafa but I didn’t know much about suppression of some of the traditional culture,” said Mr. Ramsay.
“I liked everything, and I liked the educational aspect of it. The precision was great, how precise the performers were. Wonderful; excellent. I really enjoyed it.”
Mr. Ramsay said it was his first time attending a Shen Yun show, adding that it was something that would be good for the students in his district to see.
“It would be a positive thing for students to see this because when we improve understanding we improve cooperation between all the different cultures that make up Kitchener-Waterloo and Canada.”
While it will be a while before the school board meets, Mr. Ramsay said he intends to tell his colleagues about the show.
“I will be telling them about it and encouraging them to come next year... I want to say in a public meeting how wonderful it was.”
Shen Yun will perform two more shows at Centre in the Square before going on to Ottawa and Montreal.
For more information visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org .
“It’s a wonderful display, and it taught me a lot about the culture,” said recently re-elected Mike Ramsay after attending the classical Chinese dance and music company’s first Canadian show of the year at the Centre in the Square theatre.
“It’s very educational ... It was great.”
Shen Yun takes its inspiration from the traditions of China’s 5,000-year history, including the myths, legends, and spirituality that existed there before the current authoritarian regime came to power 60 years ago and began systematic efforts to suppress that culture. It also highlights the performing arts and heritage of China’s many diverse ethnicities.
But in addition, the New York-based company aims to revive and further those traditions, and in the process raises some of the contemporary issues shaping China today, including the suppression of Falun Dafa, a meditation practice based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.
“It was a lesson for me because I knew a little bit about Falun Dafa but I didn’t know much about suppression of some of the traditional culture,” said Mr. Ramsay.
“I liked everything, and I liked the educational aspect of it. The precision was great, how precise the performers were. Wonderful; excellent. I really enjoyed it.”
Mr. Ramsay said it was his first time attending a Shen Yun show, adding that it was something that would be good for the students in his district to see.
“It would be a positive thing for students to see this because when we improve understanding we improve cooperation between all the different cultures that make up Kitchener-Waterloo and Canada.”
While it will be a while before the school board meets, Mr. Ramsay said he intends to tell his colleagues about the show.
“I will be telling them about it and encouraging them to come next year... I want to say in a public meeting how wonderful it was.”
Shen Yun will perform two more shows at Centre in the Square before going on to Ottawa and Montreal.
For more information visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org .
