MILAN, Italy—Fashion designer Azzurra Itri said she had “never seen something so beautiful” as Shen Yun after watching the classical Chinese dance and music company put on its final performance at the Teatro Degli Arcimboldi on April 28.
“The show is really wonderful…The costumes are very beautiful, and the colors are incredible, really incredible. The movements of the dancers are very strong and incredible ... It’s something that really goes inside,” she said. Ms. Itri is the CEO of the fashion company Onesoul.
Ms. Itri added that she took inspiration from the costumes in the performance.
“[The costumes are] wonderful, they definitely inspire a lot from a creative point of view. They really inspired me.”
‘So Moving’
Shen Yun, formed in 2006 in New York by a group of leading classical Chinese artists, has a mission to revive China’s divinely inspired culture.
“I think I have never seen something so moving,” Ms. Itri said.
“I also like the theme of the show because I too am on a spiritual path of meditation, and so it’s very moving to see what is shown during the dances.”
According to the Shen Yun website, “Sophisticated dance techniques, an orchestra joining instruments from both the East and West, beautiful costumes, and a stunning back drop—this is Shen Yun at first glance.
“But digging deeper, one discovers a sea of traditional Chinese culture. Mortals and divine beings merge on stage as one. Principles such as benevolence and justice, propriety and wisdom, respect for the heavens, and divine retribution, all come to life, washing over the audience. Originating from Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, these ideals are the essence of traditional Chinese culture.”
This culture, however, has been almost lost due to decades of suppression by the Chinese communist regime. “Shen Yun seeks to revive these virtues the world over,” Shen Yun’s website states.
Ms. Itri said, “Apart from the dances being very beautiful and the surprising expressiveness of the dancers, it seemed like I was at a theatrical representation with actors and I felt moved because of the theme they had in the show which is very sensitive, as in China they have all these problems.”
“I really hope they can do something for their country also with the help of the information they’re spreading, and I think they’re giving a very large contribution to humanity,” she said.
“I will definitely tell people about the splendour of this night and of the importance of what they’re offering to the world.”
With reporting by Omid Ghoreishi
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.
