MEXICO CITY, Mexico—In a world increasingly plagued by war and division, a group of artists and dancers from upstate New York is touring the globe, spreading a message of peace and kindness.
On Sunday, Shen Yun Performing Arts danced before a sold-out crowd in Mexico City.
Attendees such as Felipe González, a member of a human rights commission, welcomed the group’s traditional ancient myths and the values they espouse.
“I also really liked the opening number where they come from the divine and land,” Mr. González said in the Auditorio Nacional, speaking of the ancient tale of Creation depicted in the program. “This divine being descends and mingles among the people and suddenly reveals himself as the embodiment of divinity.”
This scene highlights that spirituality is alive and still part of Chinese culture, unlike what the officially atheist Chinese Communist Party (CCP) teaches. Through such tales, the artists aim to revive a culture that was “almost lost” during China’s catastrophic decade-long Cultural Revolution, which began in 1966.
The classical Chinese dance company was formed 20 years ago after a group of Chinese experienced religious persecution under the CCP in their homeland. They fled China for America in search of freedom and established an arts platform to revive “China before communism.”
Shen Yun’s tale of Creation continues in a procession of dance numbers through history, showcasing different dynasties, myths, heroes, and ethnic dances. Their style is called classical Chinese dance, an ancient form that is both strong yet soft, acrobatic yet refined.
“Something that really caught my attention is this feminine aspect—it’s not the classic Western beauty, but rather a spiritual kind of beauty,“ Mr. González said. ”And on the other hand, the men look very coordinated, very manly, very firm, but at the same time very gentle—it’s a truly magical combination.”
González, who is no stranger to human rights, lauded the spirit of the message Shen Yun aims to convey.
“I do support a freedom-centered approach,” he said. “It’s incredibly important right now—especially in Mexico, where we have a government that’s practically moving in that direction, is communist, and is also starting to curtail freedoms.”
Xicoténcatl Núñez (R) attends Shen Yun at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City on May 3, 2026. Yeawen Hung/The Epoch Times
Meanwhile, Xicoténcatl Núñez, a former professor and general in the Mexican Army, also watched Shen Yun and said it brought him “an understanding of Chinese culture” and that it’s “a wonderful world.”
“It conveys values that are being lost today in the spiritual and religious realms,” he said, speaking in the theater after the performance on May 3. “There is hope for living in this world in a better way.”
Many theatergoers leave Shen Yun with a new outlook on life, saying things like “it gets back to the basics” and “what’s really important in life.” The interactions between characters onstage illustrate simple gestures, such as people helping others and the humility of an emperor who goes “undercover” to see how his peasants live. He then brings them food in their hour of need.
The impact Shen Yun is having on its mission to revive ancient culture has been material; some audience members even say it inspires them to be better people.
“Given the current situation the whole world is facing—wars, divisions among races, among countries—and that has to end,” Mr. Núñez said. Speaking of the traditional values Shen Yun promotes, he added, “It’s the best way and the best legacy for future generations—so that culture isn’t lost, in this case, Chinese culture.”
Reporting by Mariana, Yeawen Hung, and Michael Wing.
