CHICAGO—“I think this is fascinating to see what they can do in America what they can’t do in China,” said Dr. Khalid Malik about Shen Yun Performing Arts. Attending on April 3, with his wife, the doctor saw the second of Chicago’s five shows at the Civic Opera House.
“I think the Chinese culture is a beautiful culture from what I have seen from this performance,” he said.
Shen Yun, based in New York, presents classical Chinese dance and music to the world as it tours over 20 countries and over 100 cities. However, it cannot perform in China, despite the fact that its mission is to revive the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.
Shen Yun presents an evening of classical Chinese dance, orchestral music played by both Western and Chinese instruments, colorful backdrops and costumes, and award-winning singing.
“They can perform and express themselves with their heritage, about their culture, which they could not … do in China right, now so I think their show is a freedom of performance,” said Dr. Malik.
“Over its past 60 years of rule, the communist regime has treated traditional Chinese values “centered on the idea of harmony between heaven and earth” as a threat to its existence. And in its systematic campaigns like the Cultural Revolution, it has uprooted traditional beliefs and destroyed ancient treasures “bringing traditional 5,000 years of civilization to the brink of extinction,” according to Shen Yun’s website.
Dr. Malik’s wife, Sophia Leaguedi found the presentation of 5,000 old culture interesting. She also agreed with her husband that she was surprised China didn’t allow this traditional performance to continue where it originated.
Ms. Leaguedi, originally from Morocco, runs an import and export company, Ameroc Exports.
“There is a strict and very controlled environment [in China]. It seems to me there is no freedom there,” Dr. Malik said.
He strongly felt that what Shen Yun is able to do in America, express their culture, should also be allowed in China. “I see no reason why they can’t do this in China.”
Ms. Leaguedi felt the same as her husband.
Reporting by Stacey Tang and Sharon Kilarski
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
