FRANKFURT, Germany—Year after year the Chinese regime has tried to stop governments and theaters around the world from supporting the internationally-acclaimed Chinese Spectacular. And now this has happened in Frankfurt, Germany.
Divine Performing Arts performances showcase 5000 years of authentic Chinese culture, from the ancient times through to contemporary China.
The International Association for Human Rights (IGFM) said that Chinese consulate representatives contacted the State of Hessen’s Chancellery and the consular corps on January 6, urging them to boycott Divine Performing Arts 2009 World Tour.
The two Frankfurt shows are this Saturday and Sunday at Jahrhunderthalle, and are the first performances of the Divine Performing Arts’ European tour.
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The Falun Dafa Association in Germany and NTDTV are the presenters of the show in Frankfurt. They said in a press release that the Chinese consulate representatives had defamed the artists and the sponsors. They said the consulate had couched itself in diplomatic jargon, urging their contacts to deny Divine Performing Arts any kind of support.
IGFM said that although consulate officials had sent letters they also contacted people individually, pressuring them to boycott the shows. After learning of the harassment, IGFM immediately contacted the Hessen State Chancellery to discuss how the incident relates to the Chinese regime’s ongoing efforts to monopolize Chinese art and culture.
Falun Dafa Association chairman in Germany Man Yan Ng said he was not surprised about the consulate’s action, and said the event helped people to see the Chinese Communist Party’s manipulative nature.
“Chinese regime has never stopped in its attempts to export their dictatorial rules to the democratic world. Fortunately more and more people begin to realize the goals and aims of such undertaking and are making it crystal clear they refuse to allow Chinese regime to lead them around by the nose,” he said.
Vice President of the European Parliament Sir Edward McMillan Scott said at a reception for the performers at the European Parliament on February 9, “Art permits us to set differences aside and lets us appreciate other peoples’ culture. But that is precisely what the Chinese regime fears.”
President of the European Parliament the honorable Hans-Gert Poettering was also at the reception. He wished Divine Performing Arts’ European tour much success and said he is glad that they are enriching the world’s culture.
A well-known Frankfurt attorney, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed disdain at the actions of consular officials in Frankfurt.
“[It is] hard to believe that such acts from the Chinese happen right in front of our doors,” he said.
The incident in Frankfurt is not isolated. It is part of a global initiative by the Chinese communist regime to try to stop the show.
Last year in Linkoping, Sweden, Chinese officials sent letters to politicians urging them to boycott the show . This lead to a nation-wide discussion about the regime’s inappropriate action and the discussion eventually spread to other media in Europe. The show’s organizers in Linkoepping told media that this incident had sparked additional interest in Divine Performing Arts and the sponsors had to add another show.
In Canberra, Australia, the Chinese regime also sent letters and made phone calls to parliamentarians urging them to boycott the show. The result was similar to the Swedish incident, and most of the recipients attended the show. One of the parliamentarians commented that there were so many politicians at the show in Camberra that they could hold a session of parliament.
This is the second time Divine Performing Arts have brought the Chinese Spectacular to Jahrhunderthalle in Frankfurt. The 2009 World Tour will see Divine Performing Arts visit over 80 cities, across four continents, with more than 300 shows.
Please see DivinePerformingArts.org for more information.
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