HOUSTON—“You don’t see this in China. So it’s a privilege to see it—an honor to get to experience it,” said Ulonda Arredondo, who works for the state of Texas, after she saw Shen Yun Performing Arts with her family at the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts on Dec. 26.
Mrs. Arredondo had wanted to see Shen Yun for three years, and her son suddenly surprised her this year with tickets for the family to see the performance for Christmas.
The New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts showcases China’s rich history and traditional culture through a combination of Chinese classical dance, a symphony orchestra, an animated backdrop, and striking costumes.
At the heart of Shen Yun is a reverence for the divine and a dedication to reviving China’s traditional moral values and beliefs. Since its establishment, Shen Yun has touched the hearts of thousands of audience members worldwide.
Mrs. Arredondo was no exception. “It’s very emotional,” she said after watching Shen Yun. “It’s not something that you can articulate in words; it’s not something that you speak about. You just have to experience it.”
Shen Yun was first established by a group of leading artists, they came together in New York with one wish: “to revive the true, divinely inspired culture of China and share it with the world.”
Mrs. Arredondo applauded Shen Yun for preserving and sharing traditional Chinese culture with people around the world. This culture had been almost destroyed over the past few decades by the Chinese Communist Party’s policies and movements, like the Cultural Revolution in the ‘60s and ’70s.
Because Shen Yun is banned from China, Mrs. Arredondo felt it was an honor and a privilege that she and her family were able to see the performance and learn about Chinese history and traditions. “It’s such a beautiful history of the culture,” she said.
Mr. Arredondo noted the diligence and passion of the dancers. “I was thinking they have to do many, many shows. You would think they would get tired of it,” he said. But contrary to his expectations, he learned otherwise: “I was watching their faces and they were lit up.”
Within the Shen Yun performers, Mr. Arredondo saw sincerity—their spirit and devotion to their art.
“Absolutely beautiful,” Mr. Arredondo said.
Reporting by Sarah Guo and Irene Luo
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.
Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
