COSTA MESA, Calif.—Shen Yun Performing Arts took center stage at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Thursday, Jan. 29. Among those in attendance were Marty Morrison and Jazelle Ghiz.
“I enjoyed it very much,” said Mr. Morrison, who works as a clothier. “It was very inspirational.”
According to the Shen Yun website, “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.”
For Ms. Ghiz, an interior designer, the performance reminded her of her own noble beliefs.
“I thought that the meaning behind the dances was so moving and so [like] my beliefs, in how I feel the world should be,” explained Ms. Ghiz.
“If we all loved each other, and all cared for each other, and allowed each other to have our own beliefs,” she said, “the world would be a better place.”
It is not hard to figure out why Ms. Ghiz had such a connection to the night’s performance. As the website states, “Shen Yun portrays principles from Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, such as compassion, propriety, justice, filial piety, and respect for the divine—values that are the essence of traditional Chinese culture.”
Ms. Ghiz was also saddened upon learning the situation today in China of its divinely inspired traditional culture.
“I’m very upset that China is a communist, atheist state that cannot enjoy their own culture and own heritage and roots,” said Ms. Ghiz.
“Forcing atheism upon society, the Chinese Communist Party has for decades launched various campaigns—most notably the Cultural Revolution—to destroy not only cultural sites, temples, and relics, but also the Chinese people’s belief in virtue and faith in the divine,” the website explains.
“Today, on the surface, the Chinese Communist Party claims to be reviving traditional Chinese culture. But no matter how its efforts are framed, they are ineffectual. For the Chinese Communist Party removes the cultural essence of respect for the divine, thereby extracting the heart and soul of traditional Chinese culture. Shen Yun seeks to revive these virtues the world over.”
For audience members like Ms. Ghiz and Mr. Morrison, Shen Yun continues to impress and inspire.
“I loved it,” added Ms. Ghiz, “it really rang true to my heart.”
Reporting by Michael Ye and Morgan Bradley
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reaction since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
