LINKOPING, Sweden—Shen Yun Divine Performing Arts 2009 World Tour performed on March 18 in Linköping, one of Sweden’s major cities. An enthusiastic crowd paid tribute with loud applause and standing ovations.
County governor of Linköping and former national director of the Swedish police, Mr. Eriksson, welcomed the world-class Shen Yun show at a VIP reception held during intermission.
Mr. Eriksson had travelled to China many times and was interested in Chinese culture.
”It is fascinating when you get a glimpse of Chinese culture, and when you see the show, you make a lot of reflections. Personally, I’m fascinated with the mass effect that is achieved with the wonderful clothes, the great direction, and beautiful music”, Mr. Eriksson said in his speech.
He was impressed that Shen Yun had three ensembles touring the world on a mission to rediscover and renew humanity’s true, cultural heritage by way of 5,000-year-old Chinese traditions with a repertory of classical Chinese dance and music.
”They’re three hundred people who make this happen, which is extraordinary. I’m very, very happy that they have selected Linköping and I thank those who have given us the opportunity to see the show.”
Mr. Eriksson recounted an incident last year when Shen Yun visited Linköping for the first time, and the Chinese Embassy interfered.
”They made various attempts to stop this tour for reasons that are in conflict with our values when it comes to culture and the arts, so there was every reason to put our foot down.
”I said very clearly that I thought their actions were downright silly. But I think it was the amount of reactions [from the locals] that really made the difference.”
As far as he knows, no similar incidents have occurred this year in Linköping.
Unbeknown to Mr. Eirksson, Shen Yun has encountered problems recently in Germany, Taiwan, Korea, that were also overcome.
”It’s down to the fact that it has been clearly shown that you can’t make art go away. You just can’t give orders like that. Art and culture finds its own way, and if you try to stop it, people react. People in general from this region reacted quite strongly last time around.”
Mr. Eriksson returned recently from Jiangsu Province, but says he had not experienced any repercussions from Chinese leaders after making a stand for Shen Yun’s show last year.
He explained: ”We had our debates in the past, and they know I’m not easily controlled.”
Mr. Eriksson was very pleased with what he had seen of the show.
”We’re used to European culture, so when you see a different culture displayed in such a professional manner, it’s impressive.”
He especially related to the vignette, a depiction of human rights abuse in China. In the scene, Heaven Awaits Us Despie Persecution, a father who practiced an ancient spiritual belief, Falun Dafa, is persecuted. The ending conveyed a message of hope and an old Chinese belief that good would be rewarded, and bad punished.
”It was heartwarming. That reference to the lack of democratic rights, in particular, was conveyed in a very dignified way,” said Mr Eriksson.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour. For more information please visit shenyunperformingarts.org
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