FRANKFURT, Germany—Many who come to watch Shen Yun Performing Arts return year after year. Each year they see an all-new program of classical Chinese dance and music that gives artistic expression to China’s cultural diversity and ancient legends and tales.
Ms. Doris Engelland, director at catering firm The Cooking Ape, came to see the show for the second year at Frankfurt’s Jahrhunderthalle on Saturday, Feb. 26. She was so taken by the Shen Yun performance last year that she attended three times in a row. This time she is hoping to get tickets for three shows again.
“Every time I see the show I notice something new. ... One sees a lot in the first show ... then, the second time one notices many more things from a totally different angle,” she said.
“This year, I could perceive a higher level of information in the show. … Both last year and this year were beautiful.”
After seeing the show again, Ms. Engelland said she gained a deeper understanding of the performance.
“One can see that there is so much more that one is being told,” she said.
Ms. Engelland particularly enjoyed the dance Min Nan Grace and said it was fascinating. In this dance, a group of girls in bamboo hats gather to enjoy the sunshine. Such hats have been used since ancient times as protection against the elements, and are widely used in southern China’s Min Nan region.
“This particular scene brought out emotions. Just viewed from the dancing performance, it brought tears to my eyes. ... This is art to my eyes, when it brings tears to the eyes,” she said.
Ms. Engelland suggests that people come to the show and enjoy the unexpected.
“One can come fully unprepared to the show. One does not have to search for what Shen Yun is all about. ... One can come, relax, enjoy it and have a good time.
“One gains intellectual enrichment from the show. And that is something that no one can ever take away from the viewer. I recommend it to everyone,” she said.
Reporting by Alexander M. Hamrle and Heide B. Malhotra.
The New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
Ms. Doris Engelland, director at catering firm The Cooking Ape, came to see the show for the second year at Frankfurt’s Jahrhunderthalle on Saturday, Feb. 26. She was so taken by the Shen Yun performance last year that she attended three times in a row. This time she is hoping to get tickets for three shows again.
“Every time I see the show I notice something new. ... One sees a lot in the first show ... then, the second time one notices many more things from a totally different angle,” she said.
“This year, I could perceive a higher level of information in the show. … Both last year and this year were beautiful.”
After seeing the show again, Ms. Engelland said she gained a deeper understanding of the performance.
“One can see that there is so much more that one is being told,” she said.
Ms. Engelland particularly enjoyed the dance Min Nan Grace and said it was fascinating. In this dance, a group of girls in bamboo hats gather to enjoy the sunshine. Such hats have been used since ancient times as protection against the elements, and are widely used in southern China’s Min Nan region.
“This particular scene brought out emotions. Just viewed from the dancing performance, it brought tears to my eyes. ... This is art to my eyes, when it brings tears to the eyes,” she said.
Ms. Engelland suggests that people come to the show and enjoy the unexpected.
“One can come fully unprepared to the show. One does not have to search for what Shen Yun is all about. ... One can come, relax, enjoy it and have a good time.
“One gains intellectual enrichment from the show. And that is something that no one can ever take away from the viewer. I recommend it to everyone,” she said.
Reporting by Alexander M. Hamrle and Heide B. Malhotra.
The New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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