Human Rights Advocates See Path to a Better World Through Shen Yun
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Simon B. Wolle with his wife, Stacia, attended Shen Yun's second performance at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on March 28, 2026. Charlie Lu/The Epoch Times
TORONTO—On the evening of March 28, Shen Yun Performing Arts presented a sold-out performance at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto, Canada. The theater was filled to capacity, and the audience responded enthusiastically throughout the evening.
At the curtain call, the entire audience rose to their feet in a prolonged standing ovation. Applause and cheers echoed through the theater as the artists returned to the stage multiple times, reflecting the audience’s deep appreciation for Shen Yun’s exceptional artistry and rich cultural depth.
Simon Wolle, a senior executive with B’nai Brith Canada—Canada’s oldest human rights organization—expressed high praise for the performance. “The show was absolutely beautiful. The choreography was tremendous. The costumes, the dance, and even the theme—understanding Shen Yun and what that means—all of it really came through on the artistic side,” he said.
As a leader in human rights, Mr. Wolle said the performance prompted deep reflection and offered a sense of hope. “For me, it took me to a deep reflection point. We’re seeing so much darkness in the world right now—so much hate,” he said. “The show really resonated with me because it helped me see similarities and unity in culture, as well as hope and optimism. The world is going to be okay when we find ways to break through divisiveness and come together across cultures.”
Shen Yun’s mission to revive traditional Chinese culture, despite facing suppression from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), also stood out to him. He emphasized the courage of the artists in telling such stories. “For me, it’s the story of the fight for freedom—and that’s something I can relate to,” he said. “The fight for freedom is something we can never stop. We have to be strong and bold.”
He added, “Whether it’s in China or anywhere else in the world, the fight for freedom is everybody’s fight. Anyone who has moral clarity and believes in universal values—honor, dignity, and humanity—can understand the purpose of the show and the meaning behind it.”
‘Shen Yun Will Influence Humanity’s Future’
Dean Baxendale, President of Optimum Publishing International and Executive Director of the China Democracy Fund, attended the performance and praised its lasting impact.
“This is my fourth or fifth time at Shen Yun, and I am always inspired by the choreography, the costumes, and the greatness in the movements of the dancers. It’s always uplifting to see traditional Chinese culture shared with a wider audience,” he said.
Mr. Baxendale explained that the experience resonates with him personally because it reflects a deeper connection to cultural freedom. “What draws me back every year is the sense of freedom in the performance—the freedom of movement, the freedom of dance, the freedom of expression,” he said. “Shen Yun brings this culture to Chinese audiences, including those who might be influenced by Beijing’s government, and it reminds us of the importance of truth and heritage.”
He also noted the show’s role in connecting him with the Chinese diaspora community. “It has allowed me to engage with many people I’ve enjoyed spending time with over the past decade,” he said. “Fighting for truth is what this is all about. Canada is a free country—China should be free again.”
Speaking to the spirit of freedom within China, he observed, “There is a spirit inside China, as the Falun Dafa movement demonstrated—and that’s what the Chinese government fears most: people having free thought, free expression, and the desire to reconnect with their true heritage and roots without the Communist Party.”
Mr. Baxendale pointed out that Shen Yun’s global success demonstrates its significance. “The success of this show worldwide demonstrates the power of the performance and why it continues to attract audiences year after year,” he said. Offering words of encouragement, he added, “I would say to the dancers, to the troupe, and to the people of China—keep on. Your thoughts, your prayers, and your future are reflected in what Shen Yun expresses on behalf of the people.”
Shen Yun: Two Decades of Courage
On the evening of March 28, 2026, Dean Baxendale, President of Optimum Publishing International and CEO of the China Democracy Fund, attended the second performance of Shen Yun at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Dongyu Teng/The Epoch Times
Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, with a mission to revive 5,000 years of China’s divinely inspired heritage and share with audiences the beauty of China before communism.
Since its founding in 2006, Shen Yun has faced ongoing interference from the CCP. These efforts have included pressuring theaters to cancel shows, attempting to influence local officials, harassing the families of performers in China, spreading disinformation online, issuing bomb threats, and damaging touring equipment. More than 130 such incidents have been documented worldwide.
This sustained campaign stems from Shen Yun’s mission to revive China’s traditional, spiritually rooted culture, which the CCP has long sought to replace with its own ideology.
Though Shen Yun has met with widespread acclaim globally, the company remains banned by the Chinese communist regime due to its commitment to raising awareness about ongoing human rights issues in present-day China.
Reporting by Charlie Lu, Dongyu Teng, and Olivia Li.
