TOULON, France—After stopping in the east (Amnéville) and southwest (Bordeaux), Shen Yun continued its tour in Toulon. Nestled between the sea and the mountains, the city is renowned for its famous harbor, home to France’s largest military port, as well as its superb beaches popular for swimming and water sports.
On Sunday, Laurent Jourdaa spent what he described as “an excellent evening” at the Zénith Oméga de Toulon, where he attended Shen Yun. A lawyer at the Toulon bar, Mr. Jourdaa, said he came to immerse himself in the artistic and cultural world presented by the company.
Mr. Jourdaa said he also felt “a lot of emotion and depth” in the costumes and dances, as well as in the messages the company wishes to convey.
“There’s a strong sense of harmony—with the company itself, but also with the scenery, which is quite fantastical, blending art and technology. There are so many visual elements,” he added, referring to Shen Yun’s patented animated backdrop, which allows performers to transition seamlessly between digital landscapes and the live stage.
“It is extremely rich in emotion, both visually and aurally, in art and in all its dimensions,” Mr. Jourdaa said.
He noted feeling a positive energy and a deep sense of well-being, while also perceiving “a message of spirituality that is essential in our time, one that connects cultures and human beings.”
He described Shen Yun as “a complete and deeply uplifting experience.”
“The messages conveyed—tolerance, peace, harmony, and spirituality—are, in my opinion, very much in tune with our times. It is essential to preserve this spirit,” he said.
Shen Yun Shows the ‘History of China’
Bruno Beaujean, a military aeronautical engineer, also attended the performance and described it as “exceptional.”
His remarks echoed the special care Shen Yun devotes to its costumes, which reflect the styles of different Chinese dynasties, regions, and ethnic groups. The company creates outfits inspired by traditional patterns, ancient engravings, and descriptions from classical Chinese literature.
Tradition holds that Chinese clothing draws inspiration from the heavens.
Mr. Beaujean said he was equally “impressed” by both “the artists’ performances” and “the fusion between the images projected on the [digital] screens and the physical performances on stage.”
“It makes you want to visit China!” he enthusiastically concluded.
