SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

German Actress at Shen Yun: ‘Words Fail Me to Describe the Brilliance of This Performance’

Mar 11, 2026

3/11/2026Updated: 3/11/2026

SALZBURG, Austria—German actress Petra Einhoff saw Shen Yun Performing Arts at Großes Festspielhaus on March 7.

“I absolutely loved this performance,” said Ms. Einhoff.

Shen Yun, based in New York, is on a mission to present “China before communism,” and revive people’s connection with 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and culture.

“The entire show portrays the relationship between humanity and Buddha,” Ms. Einhoff said.

She expressed feeling inspired, agreeing that only by holding onto kindness can one return to divinity. “And peace—it is within this peace that strength can truly blossom.”

Ms. Einhoff attended Shen Yun with her husband, Volker Becker-Battaglia.

Experiencing Shen Yun for the first time, Mr. Becker-Battaglia praised its flawless artistic execution.

“The performance was impressive, truly exceptional. The visual effects were outstanding, and there was always so much to see on stage.”

Shen Yun’s artists are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.

“Words fail me to describe the brilliance of this performance. It represents traditional artistry at its highest level—the dancing is incredibly technical and artistic. We could feel the dancers’ joy, the precision and unity of their movements. Everyone was perfectly synchronized. Truly magnificent,” Ms. Einhoff said.

The Shen Yun Orchestra, which tours with Shen Yun, is a unique combination of traditional Chinese instruments and a classic Western ensemble.

“The music is wonderfully melodious. For us Westerners, this music might seem unfamiliar at first because the timbres are so different. But gradually, you become immersed and part of the whole,” Ms. Einhoff said.

Shen Yun’s singers are trained in bel canto technique, and the digital backdrop provides a translation of the Chinese text being sung.

The profound text touched Einhoff’s heart. “The content is so rich, and the lyrics reinforce the message conveyed throughout the performance. One line resonated deeply with me: ‘Maintain virtuous character to return to the divine realm,’” Ms. Einhoff said.

Shen Yun is dedicated to reviving nearly lost traditional Chinese culture. Ms. Einhoff believes this revival is “extremely important,” noting, “Here, these (traditional values) are also disappearing. Religion is gradually declining; people no longer believe in the divine. It’s all about power and how to live better, lacking empathy and compassion.”

Ms. Einhoff has practiced qigong for decades. Seeing Shen Yun was like finding a spiritual home.

“I’ve practiced qigong for 25 years, and this entire tradition deeply moved me. To see something I’ve practiced for 25 years expressed through another art form is incredibly precious to me,” she said.

Reporting by NTD, Huang Qin, and Maria Han.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.