SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

‘It Feels as If We Are in a Civilized World’: Retired HR Director Enjoys Shen Yun in Paris

Feb 17, 2023
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‘It Feels as If We Are in a Civilized World’: Retired HR Director Enjoys Shen Yun in Paris
Jean-Denis Oester, a former human resources director in the automotive industry, enjoyed Shen Yun on Feb. 15 in Paris. (NTD)

PARIS—On Wednesday, Feb. 15, a crowd of spectators was quickly arriving at the Palais des Congrès in Paris. This is Shen Yun Performing Arts’ 17th year, and the company presents a brand-new performance every touring season.

Jean-Denis Oester, a former human resources director in the automobile industry, was moved to tears.

“Such grace, such lightness, such beauty! I think it is magnificent!” he said. “And how much inner work and ability to improve does it imply! I am extremely moved—it feels as if we are in a civilized world ... it is a novelty!”

New York-based Shen Yun was founded in 2006, and quickly became the world’s top classical Chinese dance company.

In addition to the high artistic level, Mr. Oester liked the humor in the show: “Some parts are funny and very light, with the ability to laugh at oneself ... I thought it was beautiful!”

With Shen Yun meaning “the beauty of divine beings dancing,” the company continues that noble ancestral tradition that every artist should remain in “connection with the Divine” and strive for goodness. They often practice meditation, elevate their morality, and practice their art with a humble and pure heart. They cultivate virtue, states the Shen Yun program.

Also, Shen Yun performers draw inspiration from the practice of Falun Dafa, meditating and striving to live by the principles of truth, compassion, and forbearance. They “believe that cultivating the heart is the way to create art that is beautifully sublime,” the program explains.

Mr. Oester could feel this connection to the Divine which according to him is “very present” within the show. “But there is a notion of struggle that is present in the quest for beauty ... in the quest for independence and in the struggle against this terrible persecution they talk about. There is the struggle and then there is the trust in God. You have to find the place of trust and the place of action.”

The work done by Shen Yun’s dancers should be a model for today’s youth to see and follow, said Mr. Oester.

“All of which is included in terms of the ability to learn, the ability to work, because there’s a phenomenal amount of work behind it all! I think it’s a wonderful example, and why not broadcast in details the training and the journey of these young gifted people. These are gifted people who, through work, but through very hard work, achieved this degree of excellence. It would be very enlightening for many people to see their journey, I think.”

Reporting by NTD and Sarita Modmesaïb.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
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