FRANKFURT, Germany—A full house greeted Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company at its opening performance in the Jahrhunderthalle in Frankfurt am Main on March 30.
A performance by Shen Yun, a New York-based company, is a presentation of traditional Chinese culture as it once was: a study in grace, wisdom, and the virtues distilled from the five millennia of Chinese civilization, states the company’s website.
Professor Wolfgang Schohl, a media scientist and economist, came from the nearby city of Darmstadt to see Shen Yun. He said he enjoyed the show very much.
“The show is perfect. It is more perfect than life, wonderful, and the precise dancing was impressive. The dancers showed joy on their faces, something unusual in such young people. The dancers were undoubtedly very athletic, full of life and their dancing was perfect,” said Dr. Schohl.
“I know little about Chinese culture of old ... What I saw here was cheerful and shows the beauty that existed in ancient China,” he added.
“The show is a joy to watch and I wished I could watch this show over and over again. This is something that Europeans should watch often and enjoy the joie de vivre, and the playfulness that is expressed by the artists.
“One sees in this show rural life and areas. I liked that part of it. Also the athletic type of dancing, such as in the scene Snowflakes Welcoming Spring, was unique. I truly enjoyed that,” Dr. Schohl said.
In this dance, snowflakes gather for a final farewell before warmer days. Dancers take small, quick steps through snowy fields as they skillfully spin and twirl sequined handkerchiefs, according to the program.
Shen Yun also presents stories about ancient battles throughout China’s 5,000-year-old culture, and looks at contemporary China and the repression of faith, beliefs and human rights occurring there today, particularly the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a traditional spiritual discipline.
Dr. Schohl said: “The beauty in this show is that it brings to the public that darker side of the regime ... Thinking of all that happens over there, one can see that those who suffer have the right to tell the public their suffering through dance.”
Reporting by Alexander M. Hamrle
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company will next perform in Stockholm, Sweden, April 4-6.
For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
