WASHINGTON—Shen Yun Performing Arts opened its first of 10 shows at the Washington, D.C., John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on April 17, 2015.

Shen Yun is a New York-based classical Chinese music and dance company with the mission of reviving traditional Chinese culture.

Mr. Charles Taku Esq., head of the Taku Chamber, a law firm in Buea, in the southwest province of Cameroon, and the lead counsel of the International Criminal Court, attended the performance, along with his family, for the second year.

“The show was just marvelous,” Mr. Taku said. ... “I’m happy that I brought my family to the Shen Yun show.”

He said he was deeply impressed because the show was drawn from “the richest history, which is found in China.”

The performers gave their all to the audience, he said, including “spirituality, the values of love despite being tortured by people who tried to destroy China’s culture.”

“They change him through love,” he said, referring to the story-based dance The Power of Compassion.

As a counsel in the International Criminal Court for many years, Mr. Taku said he has been exposed to conflict and hatred. But in Shen Yun, he found a solution. He said that the performance showed him a “tradition and a culture [that] went back hundreds, thousands of years.”

“I think with this culture and these traditions, the show provides a solution to most of the conflicts that we see around the world,” he said.

“Therefore, the question I ask is this: ‘Why can the world not become more aware, … become more sensitive to this culture and tradition?’ The revival of this culture could actually help and free us from the culture of violence and hatred.”

‘Power Behind the Meaning’

At first glance, one sees Shen Yun’s “sophisticated dance techniques, an orchestra joining instruments from both the East and West, beautiful costumes, and a stunning backdrop,” the Shen Yun website states.

“But digging deeper, one discovers a sea of traditional Chinese culture. Mortals and divine beings merge on stage as one. Principles such as benevolence and justice, propriety and wisdom, respect for the heavens, and divine retribution, all come to life, washing over the audience,” according to the website.

Speaking of the songs and the music, Mr. Taku said: “The songs were so meaningful. The music was touching, and it was not just the melody, but also the meaning, the power behind the meaning.

“I love the music, the harmony, and the wisdom of the music. It looks like something new. But, it’s this way of life, this existence. Those who will listen to this music, to the wisdom of the music, will realize that this is what we need.”

Shen Yun will perform nine more times at the Kennedy Center Opera House this week.

Reporting by NTD, Jenny Jing, and Heide B. Malhotra

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.

Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reaction since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006