NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Shen Yun Performing Arts presentation of classical Chinese dance was an eye-opening experience for Peter Toth.
Mr. Toth, a veterans employment representative for the State of Tennessee, saw the vibrant performance at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Andrew Jackson Hall, on Feb. 23.
“It was wonderful, it just gave me a new insight into Chinese culture that I never saw before.”
The company’s website states, “Through the universal language of music and dance, Shen Yun weaves a wondrous tapestry of heavenly realms, ancient legends, and modern heroic tales, taking you on a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture. Its stunning beauty and tremendous energy leave audiences uplifted and inspired.”
Mr. Toth was stunned by the magnificent scenery of China as the performance unfolded.
“The beauty—I guess I just never thought of China in that way before,” he said, describing the performance as “an eye-opening experience, very emotional and a very warming feeling.”
As an older American citizen, Mr. Toth said he grew up in “an era of not even knowing China,” but for him Shen Yun was “an opportunity to see 5,000 years of Chinese culture.”
Based in New York, Shen Yun was formed in 2006 with a mission to revive China’s divinely inspired cultural heritage, the Shen Yun website explains.
“Unfortunately, over its past 60 years of rule, the communist regime has treated traditional Chinese values-centered on the idea of harmony between heaven and earth-as a threat to its existence. And in its systematic campaigns like the Cultural Revolution, it has uprooted traditional beliefs and destroyed ancient treasures-bringing traditional 5,000 years of civilization to the brink of extinction.”
Mr. Toth believed spirituality was essential to the existence of life.
“I think the right to be able to practice that, it’s a given thing. In the United States our forefathers saw that and that’s why they wrote into our constitution that ability for people to practice, and that should be a value that people around the world can practice,” Mr. Toth said.
He reiterated that Shen Yun was wonderful and hoped the dance company would return again soon. “I look forward to it and I hope I could be here next year. Thank you for the opportunity and I wish you well.”
Reporting by NTD Television and Raiatea Tahana-Reese
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.
