VANCOUVER—Bruce Saroush and his wife Nyree enjoyed Shen Yun Performing Arts’ depiction of China’s age-old traditional culture Friday evening at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
Mr. Saroush, who owns and operates Danestaniha, the First Persian Magazine in Western Canada, saw great value in the performance and its contribution to multiculturalism.
“We are much, much richer than we were before, so now we can see the mix of this traditional culture like a spice, making everything look better in Canada” he said.
Shen Yun draws upon China’s long history to bring audiences a taste of authentic Chinese culture—a culture that boasts the world’s longest recorded history.
“To see the culture of China and 5,000-plus years of history is totally different from a few hundred years, like in Canada,” he said.
“Very impressive,” said Ms. Saroush of the performance.
“I’ve never seen it before. I didn’t realize that it was so organized, and every performance is separated very nicely and neatly, and it makes people understand what is the culture of China.”
In addition to classical Chinese dance, Shen Yun incorporates ethnic and folk dance from China’s many regions and ethnic groups. Mongolian Chopsticks was a particular favourite of Mr. Saroush who saw similarities to some of the ethnic dances in his home country of Iran.
“Instead of chopsticks we use swords,” he said. “I could relate to that dance.”
According to the program book, “Mongolian dance is a vivid testament to free-spirited vitality and boundless, expansive expression. Dancers use chopsticks to create a crisp, staccato beat that quickens the blood and stirs the heart.”
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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.
