AUSTIN, Texas—Universal values and classical art forms resonate across culture, faith, and ethnicity. Through the timeless art forms of orchestral music and classical Chinese dance, Shen Yun Performing Arts brings together the best of East and West, and portrays the universal values we all share.
“Ten out of 10. I did not know what to expect but I was blown away ... It’s breathtaking,” said Max Pitcairn, a graduate student.
Shen Yun’s Universal Values Resonate Across Faith and Culture
Max said that he and his wife were Christians, and for this reason, Shen Yun’s messages really hit home for them. Max saw “rebirth, new life, new beginnings, forgiveness"—values from ancient Chinese culture that he felt close to himself.“I loved the opening scene. That was probably my favorite, the opening scene was really, really impressing,” said Max.
The final piece brought back similar themes, which Katherine loved.
“It helped bring everything together. I think at first it’s kind of sad, the persecution, but at the end, there was hope that there’s something more, and it’s coming all together at the end,” said Katherine.
The final piece portrays practitioners of the spiritual discipline, Falun Gong, being persecuted in modern-day China by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Because of their unshakable faith, and devotion to following universal values of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance amidst the hardship, a profound miracle happens.
“So, it’s uplifting. It felt graceful. And just relaxing. There was a flow to it that kind of made you stop and think and not worry about everything else, and there was that feeling of serenity, of course, I love that,” Katherine said.
Max said this piece reinforced the idea that if you keep strong, keep true to what you believe in, and look after your fellow man, there’s something [good] waiting for you at the end of the road.
Not knowing anything about the spirituality or culture of the ancient Chinese, Max felt that seeing such a spiritual performance in the US was inspiring and “a big treat.”
Seeing it for Yourself
Max had a message for those who haven’t yet seen Shen Yun:“[It’s] mind-blowing. Don’t believe what you read online. It’s not what people put online. They don’t understand it. They don’t have background knowledge of it. They fear what they don’t understand. Go in with an open mind and you'll be blown away by the costumes, choreography, the dancing, the background, story—everything was a 10/10. I would tell people, just go, you have to see it,” said Max.
Shen Yun’s website states that despite employing these multiple tactics, the CCP has been unable to stop the performances. Shen Yun now has seven dance companies touring the world simultaneously, performing in over 100 cities every year—with most shows sold-out.
