NEW YORK—Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company has begun a ten show run from Jan. 10 to Jan. 19 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. This year’s opening night performance attracted many mainland Chinese.
A student at New York University, Mr. Ji came to the United States six months ago to study biology. “The rich and profound meaning of traditional Chinese dancing that Shen Yun presented in its performance impressed me a lot,” he said, adding, “China’s 5000 year old culture is very deep.”
Based in New York, Shen Yun was started in 2006 by a group of leading classical Chinese artists with the mission of reviving China’s ancient culture and sharing it with the world.
Mr. Ji was particularly moved by the Shen Yun Orchestra. “Shen Yun’s music combined western instruments and traditional Chinese instruments together. The sound is harmonic and balanced,” he said.
The Shen Yun orchestra presents original compositions which feature classical Chinese instruments and traditional melodies.
“The Western orchestra with its energy and grandeur, and the Chinese instruments with their distinct tones and styles, create a dramatic new sound,” reads the Shen Yun website.
Mr. Ju said he appreciated the “multi-cultural environment and boundless tolerance” of New York City. He was pleased to see people from so many cultural backgrounds enjoying Shen Yun.
“I will see Shen Yun again if I have opportunity, and I hope I can see it in China someday,” he said.
‘Very Moved’
Jack Yao came from mainland China to the United States two years ago for work. “I am very touched,” Mr.Yao said after watching the show.
“I didn’t have a chance to learn about traditional Chinese culture until I came here (to the United States). I didn’t have this opportunity in the mainland. Now I have the opportunity to see a true Chinese cultural performance.”
“I was very moved when I saw the performance showing how Falun Gong [practitioners] fight against persecution for their belief,” Mr. Yao said, referring to the dance Buddha’s Compassion Shines Forth which contrasts the freedom experienced around the world with life in modern China.
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a form of tai chi whose practitioners have been persecuted for their spiritual belief by the communist government since 1999.
Mr. Yao didn’t know much about the practice when he was in China but mentioned a documentary he saw about the persecution. “I saw those people didn’t do anything wrong, just sit and practice and tell people to be good. I felt heartbroken when I saw their experience,” he said.
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.
The 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.
