WASHINGTON, D.C.—Shen Yun Performing Arts brought traditional Chinese culture to the Kennedy Center Opera House on Sunday, Feb. 20, and audiences showed their enthusiastic appreciation. Andrew and Maria Ellis felt connected to the people of China and their rich culture.
Mr. Ellis, a foreign service officer and attorney with international experience in law enforcement, has worked in Central and South America.
The spiritual message also touched Mrs. Ellis, a freelance interpreter. “That’s the one aspect that I really like because, due to communism, they have taken that part of the culture away from it, and seeing it really is inspiring.”
She was happy Shen Yun is giving this to the world. “I think that it is an excellent thing they’re doing to show the world how China was before communism, how much [China] had to contribute to the world with a rich culture and very, very old history that unfortunately, because of communism, we have not been able to enjoy freely.”
The Ellises liked the positive message Shen Yun gave to its audience.
Chinese culture was presented in a “very positive way. Definitely reminds you of the history of China and the culture and just the liveliness of the people of China,” Mr. Ellis said.
He could sense “the inner beauty and energy when they dance.”
He said the performance gives the audience something deeper: “The performance is more than a performance. It touches people inside and makes us think about who we are and where we come from.”
