NEW YORK—Medical doctor Kayvon Modjarrad and his family enjoyed watching Shen Yun’s performance of classical Chinese dance at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater on Jan. 19.
“The performance is wonderful,” said Mr. Modjarrad, who specializes in infectious diseases at the National Institutes of Health. He and his family attended Shen Yun as a birthday gift for his young niece, Mina, who does ballet dancing and enjoys Chinese culture.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts is on a mission to revive 5,000 years of ancient Chinese history, which was almost destroyed by today’s communist regime. “Humanity’s treasure was nearly lost, but through breathtaking music and dance, Shen Yun is bringing back this glorious culture,” Shen Yun’s website states.
Since it was founded in 2006, Shen Yun has become a global phenomenon, stunning and delighting audiences around the world. Mr. Modjarrad and his family were no exception.
Zahra, Mr. Modjarrad’s stepmother, said she enjoyed the performance. “Before I came here I didn’t know this country, China,” she said. She now thinks China is “very beautiful.”
“I’d like to go to China,” Zahra said.
With brightly colored handmade costumes, intricate choreography, and a dazzling digital backdrop, Shen Yun presents classic tales and legends from Chinese history as well as ethnic dances from various regions and dynasties of China.
“I liked how they did their acts,” said birthday girl Mina.
Mr. Modjarrad saw connections between his family’s Iranian heritage and the traditional Chinese culture and values expressed in Shen Yun.
“It was very comfortable, very easy to relate to. Some ancient themes and some of the music actually was very similar,” he said. “Tolerance, truthfulness ... compassion, those are universal.”
Reporting by Pamela Tsai and Sally Appert
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.
