AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands—Shen Yun Performing Arts, the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company, landed in The Netherlands on March 11, to start the European leg of its 2012 world tour.
The internationally acclaimed company, with its mission of reviving China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture, will begin the tour in The Hague on March 12 & 13.
“We bring a whole new program; it’s different every year, with more content and grander scenes. The backdrops, dancing and the music are combined with each other—it is very special. It brings a completely new sensation to the audiences,” said the company manager of Shen Yun Performing Art’s International Company upon landing at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Established in 2006, Shen Yun Performing Arts has quickly grown to become the world’s most recognized classical Chinese dance company. The company has gone from one touring company in its first year to three companies, including full orchestras, now touring the world.
With classical Chinese dance as its hallmark, Shen Yun’s counts among its artists many winners of international dance and vocal competitions.
“We bring divine culture to audiences. So it’s different from other forms of art. Especially in mainland China you don’t see this kind of art—it is all deteriorating there. So what we bring is really orthodox pure compassionate and pure beautiful divine art … It actually express the essence of the Chinese culture to audiences through the performance,” the manager said.
Shen Yun’s mission and artistry is acclaimed at the highest levels of society around the world. Michael Meister, member of German Parliament and deputy parliamentary leader of the ruling Christian Democratic Union party, said in a congratulatory message, “I think it’s great that Shen Yun will come to Europe again in March and that many people in Europe and in Germany have the opportunity to see the performance. Shen Yun provides a very broad insight into Chinese culture though dance, singing, history and storytelling.
“I believe that the European people have the unique opportunity to get to know a completely different culture and it’s diversity. I had the opportunity to see Shen Yun myself last year and I am looking forward to the performance in Frankfurt this year,” Mr. Meister said.
Patrick Codd, the mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in London, also sent a congratulatory message for this year’s tour, expressing how delighted he is to see Shen Yun return to the London Coliseum.
“I think it is wonderful that they will be with us on this very special Jubilee year, the year when our queen celebrates her 60 years on the throne and when we will also be hosting the world for the Olympic games and that’s a very special year for us and it is also going to be made additionally special by having the Shen Yun people performing as they do with their amazingly high skills and the scintillating performances they give that have delighted people around the world,” Mr. Codd said.
Shen Yun performers received a warm welcome from fans who were waiting to greet the company the airport. Nicolas Schols, an IT professional, came all the way from Brussels, Belgium, to welcome the group.
“I came here to welcome Shen Yun Performing Arts to Europe, it is their first stop in Europe. And I think it is very special moment. I think Shen Yun is the highest quality, amazing performing arts group in the world,” Mr. Schols said.
“My family members they watch them every year, they feel very delighted. It can really change people’s mood. As a Chinese culture lover, and lover of great performace, for me it is just natural to be here,” he said.
Yuan Meilan, a Chinese native now living in Amsterdam, also welcomed the group. Ms. Yuan said that it is the deep spiritual core in the Chinese culture and in the performance that she greatly appreciates—a culture she is glad to now being shared with people in Europe.
Shen Yun Performing Arts will perform in The Hague on March 12 & 13 at the Lucent Danstheater; in Berlin from March 16-18 at the Internationales Congress Centrum Berlin; in Frankfurt on March 30 & 31 at the Jahrhunderthalle; in Zürich from March 23-25 at the Kongresshaus Zürich; in Stockholm from April 4-6 at the Cirkus; in Paris on April 10 at the Palais des Congrès de Paris and in London from April 12-14 at The London Coliseum.
Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, tours the world on a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company will perform in seven cities in Europe starting at the Lucent Danstheater in The Hague on March 11.
For more information visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
Friends Read Free