Mr. Sun, who wished only to be identified by his last name, is an immigrant from mainland China. On the evening of April 17, he attended the 7th performance by Shen Yun International Company at the Teatro Ópera in Buenos Aires.
Mr. Sun said it was his first time seeing Shen Yun. He had been hoping to attend for seven years and was thrilled to finally have the opportunity in Argentina. “It was so visually pleasing—exquisite and beyond words,” he said.
Mr. Sun specifically purchased a seat close to the orchestra pit so he could observe the performers’ expressions and movements up close. He was delighted and said the performance exceeded his expectations.
“I was extremely happy! I also found it awe-inspiring. It was even better than I had imagined. Seeing those scenes, their expressions and movements—it truly surpassed my expectations,” he said.
Shen Yun’s short dance dramas combine classical Chinese dance with digital backdrops, music, and costumes to vividly portray China’s history and legends. Mr. Sun said he found this especially impressive.
He also noted that Shen Yun reflects what he envisions as divinely inspired culture. “The performance presents traditional Chinese culture in a more authentic way—this is the very image of traditional culture as I envision it,” he said.
Mr. Sun revealed that he is a loyal reader of the Chinese-language Epoch Times. Reading the newspaper has helped him clearly understand the true nature of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
“The things promoted in mainland China have been altered. They’re not real because everything has to follow that evil Party,” he said. “Even ‘Buddha’s places’ are forced to set up a ‘party branch’—isn’t that absurd?!”
“Shen Yun respects history and tells real history,” he said.
Shen Yun’s singing performances are distinctive, featuring a soprano who uses a traditional bel canto technique to convey messages about life. This deeply moved Mr. Sun, who is a Christian. “I strongly agree with the lyrics about faith sung by the soprano,” he said.
Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a spiritual discipline and meditation practice with moral teachings based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. It rapidly gained popularity in China during the 1990s. However, the Chinese Communist Party, unable to accept any group having more influence than itself, in 1999, began persecuting Falun Dafa practitioners in 1999.
“One minute on stage takes 10 years of work off stage! How much effort must they have put in to achieve this?” he said. He added that the contributions of Shen Yun’s founders, choreographers, and production team—though behind the scenes—are clearly evident.
Mr. Sun said he was moved to see so many Western audience members appreciating traditional Chinese culture and felt proud to be a Chinese person. “Culture has no borders,” he said, adding, “It’s just a pity that Chinese culture has been damaged since 1949.” That was the year when the CCP seized power.
