GUADALAJARA, Mexico—Shen Yun Performing Arts delighted the audience at Santander Performing Arts Ensemble in Plácido Domingo Hall on May 9. José Muñoz and Yazbek Anguiano enjoyed new insights in Chinese culture.
Mr. Muñoz, a corporate lawyer, said, “Getting to know the culture, learning how China has evolved over the years, and experiencing it in such a harmonious way, it’s so beautiful, so, so impressive. We really enjoyed it.”
He said what really caught his attention was a scene of divine beauty. “I liked the part where they dance in the clouds, the one with the peacock. That was very beautiful,” he said, referring to the classical dance segment called “Peacock Paradise.”
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture, which was very spiritual before communism. “Yes, at the end of the day we all believe in a God who has given us life and who allows us to have a better heart and do things better,” he said.
Commenting on his takeaways from the show, he said, they were filled with joy that China’s traditional ways were being “shared with Mexico.”
He said Shen Yun raised his awareness of the beauty of Chinese culture, adding that it’s very important to raise awareness of China’s beautiful culture before communism took over.
“I’ve had the opportunity to visit China and import products from there. That’s what I do for a living. And now, getting to know their dances, their culture, and their art in a personal way—We like it, we really enjoyed it,” he said.
Ms. Anguiano, a psychologist, said, “I was really struck by how picturesque the show is. I’ve always been interested in culture. I was telling my husband that I wanted to come; I was really keen to come.”
In a broken voice as if about to cry, she said, “I felt a moment of nostalgia when I heard about their history regarding the dispossession of their ... how can I put it? How many people were dispossessed because of their beliefs.”
Ms. Anguiano was referring to “The Steadfast Heart,” which dramatizes the persecution of believers in Falun Gong, or Falun Dafa, a cultivation practice based on truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance that has been persecuted in China since 1999.
She said she felt “nostalgic, but also happy at how colorful the performance was. The colors, the dance, the music, even the instruments. The last instrument they played made me feel nostalgic—I don’t know—emotional.”
She also saw hope for the future. “Yes, yes. It encouraged me to want to find out much more about [Chinese culture]. At one point, I thought it would also be interesting to read about it to understand a little more, because I think it’s immense. China is immense and has so much to offer,” she said.
Speaking about Shen Yun’s artists, she said, “They do an incredible job. It’s very beautiful the way they portray things and what they convey; I think you can sense a little more of the sensitivity with which they do their work, and you can see the love with which they do it.”
Mr. Muñoz said, “We look forward to seeing you next year with new scenes and to learning more about your culture and traditions. We’d love to welcome [Shen Yun] back [to Mexico].”
