NEW YORK—Internationally renowned Shen Yun Performing Arts is returning to Lincoln Center this January, with praise from over 70 elected officials from New York for the company’s revival of Chinese civilization.
“Operating as an unparalleled dance and music company, the Shen Yun Performing Arts, preserves the true spirit of Chinese culture, while also breathing new life into it,” stated U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Reps. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), Chris Gibson (R-N.Y.), Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.), Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), and Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) have also issued proclamations, greeting letters, or statements praising Shen Yun.
The federal officials were joined by local officials.
“Shen Yun Performing Arts will bring another enriching performance to Lincoln Center,” stated Patrick Vecchio, supervisor of Smithtown in a proclamation. “I congratulate the cast and crew of Shen Yun Performing Arts for their brilliant performances and depiction of the rich Chinese culture.”
Shen Yun was established in New York in 2006, with the mission of reviving 5,000 years of Chinese civilization through performing arts. Since its inception, Shen Yun has received standing ovations at sold-out performances in many of the world’s top venues such as the Palais des Congrès in Paris, Kennedy Center in Washington, and the London Coliseum. The company travels to over 100 cities each season and has performed nearly 2,000 shows.
The officials noted the unique aspects of Shen Yun’s productions in their statements. From costuming to backdrops, audience members routinely tell Epoch Times the production is unlike any other.
“Performances include classical Chinese dancers, a unique East-West orchestra, and dazzling animated backdrops that move audiences in a beautiful and profound way,” New York state Sen. Phil Boyle stated in a proclamation. “The company’s repertoire is drawn from the pages of history, classic legends, diverse ethnic traditions, and universal themes.” Boyle was one of 17 New York state senators and 28 state assemblymen who honored Shen Yun.
The orchestra accompanying Shen Yun blends ancient Chinese instruments like the two-stringed erhu into a full Western symphony, creating a unique sound. The Shen Yun Orchestra has held concerts in New York at Carnegie Hall.
New York state Sen. Kenneth LaValle in a proclamation applauded Shen Yun’s popularity, having grown from one to four internationally touring companies. “Shen Yun is not only entertainment, but also contributes to our society by bringing a long-lost culture back to life.”
“The artistic freedom of the West has allowed Shen Yun Performing Arts to bring ancient Chinese traditions to life on stage, that would otherwise be censored by the Chinese communist regime,” stated Kate Murray, supervisor of Hempstead.
“Shen Yun performances uplift humanity through messages of courage, virtue and harmony as shared with the audience through a creative and fascinating stage presentation,” stated Edward Romain, supervisor of Brookhaven.
Ancient Chinese culture, as the officials noted, is deeply spiritual. It is built on principles like benevolence and justice, propriety and wisdom, respect for the heavens, and these ideals come through in the performances, according to the millions of audience members who have seen Shen Yun.
“In ancient China, artists emphasized virtue, study, and meditation because they took to heart an ancient Chinese belief that to create true art, there must be inner beauty and purity,” stated Glen Cove Mayor Reginald Spinello. “Today, the artists of Shen Yun follow in this noble tradition, immersing themselves in mediation, study of the classics, and adopting the virtues of the ancients into their daily lives. The result is a performance that moves audiences in beautiful and profound ways.”
“The members of the Shen Yun Performing Arts Company have worked diligently on behalf of causes and ideals, which uphold the principles of human decency and brotherhood,” stated Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano.
“[T]he Shen Yun shows depict important values we can all relate to, such as courage, justice, loyalty, compassion, and tolerance,” stated Assemblyman Fred Thiele Jr.
The following officials sent their best wishes to Shen Yun’s success:
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
U.S. Sen. Charles E.Schumer
Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney
Rep. Charles Rangel
Rep. Chris Gibson
Rep. Eliot Engel
Rep. Grace Meng
Rep. Lee Zeldin
Rep. Paul Tonko
Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney
NY State Sen. Brad Hoylman
NY State Sen. Dean G. Skelos
NY State Sen. Diane J. Savino
NY State Sen. George Latimer
NY State Sen. Hugh T. Farley
NY State Sen. Jack M. Martins
NY State Sen. John J. Bonacic
NY State Sen. John J. Flanagan
NY State Sen. John L. Sampson
NY State Sen. Kathleen A. Marchione
NY State Sen. Kenneth P. LaValle
NY State Sen. Martin J. Golden
NY State Sen. Neil D. Breslin
NY State Sen. Phil Boyle
NY State Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson
NY State Sen. Timothy M. Kennedy
NY State Sen. Tony Avella
NY Assemblywoman Aileen M. Gunther
NY Assemblyman Andrew P. Raia
NY Assemblyman Andrew R. Garbarino
NY Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara
NY Assemblyman Anthony H. Palumbo
NY Assemblyman Brian Curran
NY Assemblyman Charles D. Lavine
NY Assemblyman Clifford W. Crouch
NY Assemblyman David G. McDonough
NY Assemblywoman Earlene Hooper
NY Assemblyman Edward Hennessey
NY Assemblyman James Tedisco
NY Assemblyman Jeffrion L. Aubry
NY Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr
NY Assemblyman John D. Ceretto
NY Assemblyman John T. McDonald III
NY Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol
NY Assemblyman Marc W. Butler
NY Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo
NY Assemblyman Mark Johns
NY Assemblyman Michael Cusick
NY Assemblyman Michael J. Fitzpatrick
NY Assemblyman Michael Montesano
NY Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel
NY Assemblywoman Patricia A. Fahy
NY Assemblyman Philip Ramos
NY Assemblyman Robert J Rodriguez
NY Assemblyman Samuel D. Roberts
NY Assemblyman Steve Englebright
New York City Council member Daniel R. Garodnick
New York City Council member Elizabeth S. Crowley
New York City Council member Peter A. Koo
New York City Council member Ritchie Torres
New York City Council member Vanessa Gibson
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Mayor of Albany Kathy Sheehan
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine
Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano
Supervisor of The Town of North Hempstead Judi Bosworth
Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray
Smithtown Town Supervisor Patrick R. Vecchio
Glen Cove Mayor Reginald Spinello
Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone
Town of Islip Supervisor Tom Croci
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.
