“It was magnificent. The costumes were truly sublime. The music was perfect,” says Jean Smektala, musician and city councilor for Magny-Cours in the Nièvre department.
“It’s a wonderful contrast. And I love the Chinese sound,” says Smektala about the harmony between the instruments of the two great traditions.
“The acoustics in the hall were great. You can hear everything very clearly. And I thought it was magnificent,” he said.
“In terms of dance, I think it’s superb,” says Mr. Smektala. “The dancers are magnificent. It really exudes a great sense of freedom.”
“I get the impression that this group is a little bit dissident when it comes to China, if I understand correctly. And I completely agree with that,” he said of the New York-based company, which performs all over the world but cannot perform in China.
“I am amazed by the costumes, the technical aspects, with the screen behind. The dancers disappearing into the set—it’s the first time I’ve seen that. It’s truly exceptional.”
Jean Smektala felt a certain connection with the divine, with God, during the show.
“We felt that there was a strong connection with the afterlife and also with history, the history of China,” he explained.
According to him, Shen Yun can bring “a lot” to the world.
“It’s good to return to tradition a little,” he says. “I think we need to return to tradition for the sake of humanity. Because right now, we’re heading in a direction that seems pretty fatal to me.”
Mr. Smektala went home “with lots of images in his head” after the show.
Philately expert Gaël Caron also greatly enjoyed Shen Yun’s performance that evening.
He loved “the story, the beauty of the dancers, the beauty of the dances, all the harmony that you really feel in the show.”
As for the show in general, Mr. Caron found it “fantastic, really very interesting. It’s very fresh, it’s very nice to see Chinese culture. It’s a wonderful moment of relaxation.”
He felt the traditional values, such as kindness, compassion, and benevolence, that artists exude on stage.
“You can really feel the kindness and benevolence,” he acknowledged. “You feel a lot of benevolence and a lot of divine things.”
According to its official website, the name Shen Yun means “the beauty of divine beings dancing” and evokes the idea of art inspired by the divine.
“We have a connection with the divine, that’s for sure,” acknowledges Gaël Caron.
Mr. Caron also noted “respect for values, respect for traditions, and authenticity.”
Gaël Caron will not hesitate to recommend Shen Yun to his friends and family.
