Priest Lauds ‘Tremendous’ Shen Yun

Father Tataryn saw China’s true culture in Shen Yun, something he had not seen in China itself during two trips there.
Priest Lauds ‘Tremendous’ Shen Yun
Father John Tataryn is interviewed by NTD Television after the Shen Yun show at the Sony Centre in Toronto on Jan. 20, 2013. (NTD Television)
1/20/2013
Updated:
10/1/2015
<a><img class="size-large wp-image-1771817" title="JohnTataryn_NTD" src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/JohnTataryn_NTD.jpg" alt="" width="562" height="421"/></a>

Shen Yun portrays the principles originating from Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism such as benevolence, honour, justice, propriety, and respect for the divine—values that were part and parcel of the culture.

Father Tataryn appreciated the spiritual aspect of the performance.

“This is the first time I’ve seen something like this. I’ve been at shows in China and they’re just a display of colour and whatnot, but here there is something far more. I think the spirituality made a tremendous difference.”

Along with vocal soloists and a live orchestra, Shen Yun presents large-scale, synchronized dances as well as dances that depict stories and legends form China’s long and rich history.

“The feeling I got at each performance was that you’re actually living through the centuries in China and the culture is so rich that it permeates through and shows quite well through the art,” said Father Tataryn.

“I think [the performers] conveyed it quite well. They conveyed it through art and I don’t think anybody can argue about that.”

He added that the show “just impressed me very much. The colours were fabulous everywhere. All the costumes were just tremendous. I thought they were very beautifully done and very beautifully worn by the performers because not all performers can really make the costumes come alive as they did today.”

Father Tataryn said he feels Shen Yun’s mission to revive the soul of the culture is timely.

“I think their mission is very important because they’re not only retaining but developing an interest in what is truly a very, very important part of Chinese culture and tradition. What is lost perhaps in China to a very great degree is retained in the free world and someday will come back to China.”

Reporting by NTD Television and Joan Delaney

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Following 21 successful shows Dec. 20-Jan. 13 in Mississauga, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Hamilton, Shen Yun’s New York Company finished its run of five shows in Toronto with sold-out shows Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org

  The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 21 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.